|
|
| Comments |
Release Notes: Noted Guided By Voices lead guitarist Doug Gillard steps out with his first solo LP, Salamander, the first release on new Big Takeover magazine affiliated label, Pink Frost records, in association with Redeye Distribution. Since 1996, Cleveland�s Gillard has been the lead guitar hero and Robert Pollard�s main foil in GBV, on classic LPs like Do the Collapse, Isolation Drills, and the new Half Smiles of the Decomposed. (The pair also collaborated on the Gillard/Pollard LP Speak Kindly of Your Volunteer Fire Department and the Lifeguards Mist King Urth.) He was formerly a mainstay of legendary late �80s Cleveland rockers Death Of Samantha and the powerful �90s band Cobra Verde. On his own, he�s led cult-favorites Gem (his 1996 song "I am a Tree," was re-recorded by GBV), and did a five-song solo EP as Malamute Jute in 1999. He�s also played on LPs by Superdrag/V-Roys writer Mic Harrison, Yuji Oniki, My Dad Is Dead, and The Mice. Jimmy Eat World's Jim Adkins even cited Gillard as the
inspiration for his guitar solo in their hit "The Middle." Now, at long last, Gillard releases a fully-realized solo LP full of rich textures, fully formed, indelible pop songs, and an overflowing bag of hooks.
Standouts such as the furious strumming of "Symbols, Signs," the upbeat "Going Back (to You)," the reflective, shimmering "Wait For You," the Nick Drake-like folkpop of "Present," the deliciously catchy "Valpolicella," and the Who-like power-pop tantalizer "Fate, Say it Again" are challenging and
immediately hummable, full of his distinctive, recognizable, edgy guitar licks. The talented Gillard even plays all the instruments, guitar, drums, bass, piano, percussion, and vocals-other than three songs that Jon Wurster (Superchunk, Jay Farrar, Marah) drums, and some violins.
KEY POINTS:
* GBV are currently in the midst of a fall farewell-tour bow prior to disbanding.
Gillard solo live dates to follow.
* Label is a brand new subsidiary of The Big Takeover magazine, an
indie-rock powerhouse/staple. CD will be promoted heavily on Big
Takeover web site, huge email list, and exclusive Yahoo list.
* Gillard appears in various GBV films and the recent video for "Someday"
by The Strokes playing the game show Family Feud.
|
|
|
|
|