The Glands

Rate It! Avg: 4.5 (181 ratings)
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The Glands album cover
Album Information
EDITOR'S PICK

Total Tracks: 14   Total Length: 46:57

eMusic Review 0

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Ira Kaplan

eMusic Contributor

04.22.11
If the Pretty Things had been from the American South…
Label: Velocette Records / Virtual

If the Pretty Things had been from the American South this might be the album they made instead of Parachute. I got the first Glands record from Bar/None and liked it, but it became one of those CDs lost in the tide. Then we saw them in Nashville while we were down there recording. At some point Georgia said to me that they were like a cross between the Cars and the Soft Boys and I acted like I knew just what she meant, especially when, within minutes, they were covering "Just What I Needed." But nothing prepared me for how sensational this record is. Every time I get ready to listen to it, I think that "Swim" is my favorite song, but then as each one starts I realize: No, that's my favorite. (But it's really "Swim.")

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right place, wrong time

doriangreytoday

this beauty came out after the demise of indie rock and, as a result, received little college airplay. Heard Lovetown, that was about it. If you're into track-pickin i suggest 1,2,4,6,7,10. Kinda sad that the indie scene got replaced by flavors-of-the- month and tribute bands.

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I would ride the Mayflower

mdboughter

This album has so much to offer, and yes, Mayflower included. While it's an odd song for the mix, that may be due to it being sandwiched between two upbeat/quirky tracks, and when always listening to the album sequentially, it may come off as a downer. I always listen to albums/playlists on shuffle. That way you never hear the same sequence of songs. Mayflower can be narcotic and soothing when the mood suits it. There are few bands ,IMO , that can write such a slow and sweeping song that still keep me interested. Add the rest of the tracks, and I don't see how this album flew so low under the radar. If you liked this and are yearning for more Glands, pick up Double Thriller ...if you can find it.

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132 ratings at 4.5 stars

KfuMike

How the crap did I miss this ?? Oh yeah, no Pandora and no alternative radio in Minneapolis Circa 2000. "Straight Down" is SOLID!

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Infectious

caro1eb

As Deming has said here, I rarely end up downloading a full album (either). Judging from the sample, I had my doubts about track 5, Mayflower, but I thought it might surprise me, so I downloaded it. That was my only mistake - that track just doesn't seem to suit the playlist. Other than that, I think that even the very short instrumental Swim - Prelude might add a little something to your pleasure. Very soon, these tunes will be playing in your head! Start with Lovetown. Try Swim, I Can See My House, Work It Out, Ground, Breathe Out. P.S. This band doesn't remind me of any other! - I'll have to check out the other bands mentioned in these reviews.

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One of those albums that...

tenchi_muyo

...makes you say, "That song was by THIS band?!?" Perhaps over half of these songs I have heard before and really liked, but never knew who they were performed by. Everyone here is correct, you might think "That song must have been by Pavement (or The Flaming Lips, or Yo La Tengo, etc)" and perhaps that was what sunk this band. Too bad, because this album is excellent indie rock!

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Lips suggesting link between early Mott late Floyd

SelfRisinMojo

Sounds like an organic Flaming Lips exploring the possible links between early 70s Mott The Hoople and late 70s Pink Floyd.Good tunes, good instrument interplay and a cop of the melody to Mr. Evasion by Pretty Things which indicates a solid upbringing.

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Don't Know How I Missed This

sleepyco

Or how I never even heard of it until it popped up in my recommendations here. Outstanding album: enough variation to keep surprising you, but still all obviously one musical vision. I like the more rockin' tracks (Straight Down, Work it Out, Livin Was Easy) the best, but they're all good.

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Most Overlooked Record of 2000s

The_Giraffe

Completely obscure, yet completley accessible. This is hands-down one of the best indie rock records of the last ten years. For proof, listen to Swim, Straight Down or When I Laugh. Glands-mania should be sweeping the world. It's a crime that more people aren't aware of this record.

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Here they are

FrankensteinsOffspring

Everyone keeps asking, where are these guys? Ross works at a record store here in Athens, GA. This album was recently featured in Magnet magazine in a "where are they now?" article. Ross is kind of a slacker.

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Eponymously-titled albums that follow a previously released debut (especially once the band signs to a major label) usually seem to indicate that the band is going back to square one, and this self-titled album by the Glands — who hail from the college burg of Athens, GA — does just that, offering up refreshingly enigmatic, artfully arranged and bouncy Confederate pop that blends porch swing guitars, jazzy basslines, and jangling Paisley Underground and Britpop aesthetics. “Work It Out” sounds like a pre–Mersey Beat Britbilly workout that woulda rocked the U.K. back in ’62, while “Straight Down” is pretty straight-up indie rock. Vocalist/guitarist Ross Shapiro’s endearing but heartbreakingly frail vocals have been compared to Village Green vintage Ray Davies, but fans of Olivia Tremor Control’s Bill Doss or the Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne may hear a little of them in there too. Doug Stanley’s airy keyboard burbles and Craig McQuiston’s keening lap steel will appeal to fans of the Elephant 6 collective sound as well. – Bryan Thomas

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