Glands

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Personnel: Ross Shapiro (vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass); Doug Stanley (guitar, keyboards, bass); Craig McQuiston (guitar, bass); Frank MacDonell (guitar); Larry Tenner (bass); Vi ctor Uzur (cello); Joe Rowe (drums).Producers: Peter Fancher, The Glands, David Barke, Andy Baker.Engineers include: Peter Fancher, Ross Shapiro, Andy Baker.Principally recorded at Elixir Recording and Chase Park Transduction in Athens, Georgia.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 Show more