Search - Gem :: Sunglare Serenades

This is NOT GBV!

vogt_eric | Cleveland, OH USA | 04/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was the drummer in Gem for six years and played on half of these songs; but Gem was around in 1993, way before Doug (or Tim) played in GBV. Some might think there's a lack of cohesion because the songs were recorded over a four year period, with two drummers, and using a variety of studios and methods. I think it makes the disc more interesting. Todd Tobias' production assistance adds some different layers, too.
There isn't one song on here that sounds like GBV. Period. No quirky four tracks, faux Brit accents, and the structures are very different. Angular guitars and overlapping band membership do not justify a "sounds just like..." comparison.
Doug and Tim have their own muses (look for Tim's solo record "Bloom~Clouds Forming Crowns" and an upcoming solo record from Doug to verify), they don't need to cop anyone else's riffs or style. I was privileged to play music with them. There are also a lot of Gem songs that were not released except for 7 inch vinyl; down the road, this band's output will stand the test of time. If you can get a copy of "Hexed", it's excellent.
Even if I wasn't in this band, it would still be one of my favorites~up there with Bigstar, The Pretenders, and Television."

In defense of Gem...

csflimited | montgomery, al usa | 11/27/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...they are not a GBV side project, as I've seen stated here by some. Doug Gillard and Bob Pollard do go way back, and Tim Tobias (until very recently) was part of the GBV circle as well, but Gem was it's own band before either Doug or Tim got on Bob's payroll.

When "Sunglare Serenades" was released, I had no idea that Doug and Tim had enough time away from their GBV duties to cut another record, especially when they rarely get to play out with their own band. That shows a bit on this album - not the quality of the songwriting so much, but the delivery sounds like a few talented boys in a hurry. That and they were between drummers so the percussion is split evenly between two bangers, nevermind if Doug played any of the drums himself, as he's wont to do. So, not much of a "band" feel on some tracks, but the climaxes still burst with subtle vibrance (yes, subtle vibrance)!

I'm especially impressed with Tim stepping up to the plate with five songs to Doug's seven (on "Hexed", Tim had three compositions to Doug's eight), with the Pink Flag-tinged 'Many Fanged Breezes' and the very compelling 'Nothing But The Quiet Now' at the top of the albums' shining moments. The Soft Boys' charm on 'Ghostville Anyway' is flattering too.

Doug writes laidback songs, and sings them in a sluggish fashion, but goddamn, can he play guitar! And play! And play! Stone Temple Pilots wish they could've written 'I Today', or even 'Good To See You', and 'Razors In The Skies' is probably his best song yet!

It's just subjective opinion, but you should buy this album for two reasons: 1)'Cos it's cheap!; 2)'Cos it's good!

And if you want to pretend it's an extension of GBV, go ahead, but I think you'll find more to like about this work on it's own merit."