FOUR STARS!!
Casey Boland=
Alternative Press Magazine
Some of us remember when Richmond, Virginia's little band that could, Engine Down, introduced new member Keeley Davis, who reshaped the band behind his formidable vocal prowess. Keeley has since joined the ranks of Sparta, but he found time to issue this project that also includes former ED drummer Cornbread Compton and ex-Denali/current Ambulette vocalist(and sister) Maura Davis. Together, the three deliver a debut album that handily bests all of their previous efforts. Forged on a concrete, rhythmic backbone, many of the songs demonstrate serious nods to trip-hop. Compton is as skilled and pronounced as ever, executing offbeat fills and rhythms that call to mind Hoover or End Hits-era Fugazi. Keeley's guitar melodies tend toward the minor keys so integral to ED, while his and Maura's ethereal vocals seamlessly intertwine. "Driver," "Hell Hath No Fury" and "Entre" exhibit their strengths well, and "Telepathy" is a single-worthy straightforward rocker. Let's hope they make this side project the priority.
Jake Rabid=
bigtakover.com
This trio formed out of the vestiges of two formidable groups, Engine Down and Denali, so it's not surprising that Glos are good. But it is that they're even better—even more so, since the three collaborate only via file-sharing from opposite coasts, from Richmond, VA and L.A. (Remember how novel that once seemed, pre-internet, back when Pell Mell did it by mailing bulky, heavy tape reels to each other?!!) You'd never know any of that on this super-charged, superlative mix of cruelly melodic, hard-played, sometimes sweltering, sometimes darkly pretty, indie-rock. Keeley Davis has the makings of a star, with his biting '90s post-punk guitars, bitter bass, and authoritative voice often letting vowels last for seconds. His striking Winona Ryder-esque sister Maura Davis's voice punctuates his perfectly, while her keyboards add dusky textures to play off Cornbread Compton's contrasting compact, quick, hard drumming. 11 terrific tracks, no dogs; one wonders what the nine they left off are like! Jump on this.
Tim Karan=
Alternative Press Magazine
If my brothers and I collaborated on a musical project, it would most likely end up sounding a lot like candlebox and shame-but with more swearing. That's why I'm constantly astounded at the ridiculous amount of talent the brother-sister team in Glös (Keeley and Maura Davis from Sparta and Ambulette, respectively) are able to wield. On Harmonium, Keeley's cerebral-chic song writing and Maura's ethereal vocals are front and center, providing relief for anyone with an Engine Down-sized hole in their heart and inspiration for those of us who can't not punch their siblings.
It all started as a few musical file transfers from laptop to laptop in a van while touring Europe as the band Engine Down, and ended as a full-blown album of musical compositions by means of the internet from opposite corners of America. Glös started as Keeley Davis (former frontman of Engine Down and bass/synth player for Denali, and currently Sparta) and Cornbread Compton (former drummer of Engine Down, Biology, and currently Heavens). Many years of playing in Engine Down together proved the duo had a naturally unique style of meshing melody and rhythm. When the discovery of song creation on computers became a reality, the two found strength and freedom in writing separately and then collaborating. Adding to each other's songs as if they were created mutually in the same room was natural and noticeable.
After collaborating on over 20 songs and having never physically played the songs together in a rehearsal environment, the duo decided to take even more advantage of the freedom that this style of writing offered. They invited Keeley's sister Maura Davis (former frontwoman of Denali and currently Ambulette) to join the project and to add her beautiful, sultry vocals to the songs that already seemed perfect for her. If it weren't for the internet, none of the songs would have grown into the theatrical landscapes that they have become, since each member was working on different projects full-time in Texas, California, Virginia, North Carolina, and Illinois. Assistance in recording drums was provided by Ben Lovett's studio in Los Angeles and Black Iris studio in Richmond, VA, to obtain quality without losing time.
After two years of writing and refining, Glös has its first album entitled Harmonium. Longtime friendship with indie label Lovitt Records, who put out numerous releases of the members' previous bands, was the obvious choice for this record. At this time, the release date is slated for March 2007.
Hi! I want to tell you about a huge show I have coming up. The Stiletto Formal will be playing on Friday July 25th at The Clubhouse in Tempe with Black Carl, Kinch, Dust Jacket, and DJ The Skinny. You should come party, Stiletto will be playing a tone of new songs.
Abigail Hopkins' new album, 'The Memoirs Of An Outlaw' is available to pre-order from: www. basilicamusic. bigcartel. com The first 100 copies are signed and numbered!
Abigail Hopkins new album, 'The Memoirs Of An Outlaw', available to pre-order from: www. basilicamusic. bigcartel. com The first 100 copies are signed and numbered!
