Anatomy of a Crush is the first track on Guy Grogan’s Glitter in the Gears, blending together hints of early Goo Goo Dolls, The Minutemen, and Polaris. The momentum which Grogan immediately imbues Glitter in the Gears with is a hallmark that will continue throughout the entirety of the album, a move that keeps listeners firmly planted on the edges of their seats. The acoustic opening of Stick the Landing is reminiscent of performers like Radiohead, while the ropy bass line that kicks in shortly after firmly places this effort into the alt-rock sound of the late nineties. Powerful and emotive vocals play at the top of the track, while the martial drumming and guitar strumming build off of the framework of mid-1960s performers.
House for the Leaving is one of our favorites on Glitter in the Gears as the careful and intricate instrumental opening tell a rich story. The vocals are alluring here, straddling the divide between narrative element and melodic contributor.
Head Start to Light is a late-album track that is fun; there is a fun dynamic between the instrumentation and vocals that open into a Collective Soul meets Cheap Trick sound. Grogan’s unique approach to music is appreciated further when fans happen upon Where All the Hearts Go. Where All the Hearts Go may be the longest track on Glitter in the Gears, but the stretched-out sound of guitar and piano adds a further gravitas to the late registers of the album. Grogan’s vocals are effecting, the sorrowful sound presented showcasing tremendously heady content; imagine Warren Zevon’s My Ride’s Here mixed with The Joshua Tree-era U2. Glitter in the Gears stays strong from beginning to end, keeping considerable replay value.
Top Tracks: House for the Leaving, Anatomy of a Crush
Guy Grogan – “Glitter in the Gears” / https://guygrogan.bandcamp.com/ / https://soundcloud.com/guy-grogan
Rating: 8.7/10