Rebecca Marx
Ben Glaros is a master at collaboration. I won’t bother to list all of his credits because you’d lose interest. Glaros recently wrapped up his lead guitar duties with Fathom Lane after several seasons to concentrate on his own body of work. If you didn’t think that Glaros had it in him to set off solo, well you’re DEAD wrong. This 3 song EP is a wonder, and showcases Ben Glaros the solo singer songwriter. You’re thinking 3 songs–that’s it? Yep, when the 3 are this good, I don’t care for, or need anything else! There are a lot of albums out there that could’ve benefited from the good stiff edit of a few tracks.
“Rough Way to Start” is an energetic song with a ripping guitar, its infectious chorus of “I can’t go back to Bleeker” will follow you around all day. The chorus in fact refers to an actual ghost town in Alabama, quite literally someplace that you can’t return to, and who would want to with a name like that?
In a bit of a musical riddle, the lyrics and droning looped bass line of “This Mr. Jones” conjure the memory of a man not long gone from this world. The tender vocals are evocative of Psychedelic Furs Richard Butler on this musical tribute, the subject of whom is referenced in the last line of the song. Light a candle in memoriam to the “Thin White Duke”, and put it on repeat.
The title track “Celebrated Summerteeth” kicks it up a bit, replete with playful wordplay and a good hook. It is a definite nod to the world of power pop. I inquired into the song’s title because its elements were recognizable (Husker Dü’s song “Celebrated Summer” and Wilco’s album Summerteeth). Glaros had this to say: “…That phrase “celebrated summerteeth” popped into my head, and I just started writing. One of the few times that I had written all of the lyrics first before I had gotten to the music. I had some fun on paper with that. I started off playing around with seasons: summerteeth, frostbitten winter feet. A feeling emerged, there was a theme in the end”. I am reminded of some of Glaros collaborations (The Happy Roosters alternate version of “Cooler Then”) with the Pirner brothers (Paul & Dave). Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum) can write a catchy tune, and in this title song Glaros has picked up where Pirner left off.
Celebrated Summerteeth puts Ben Glaros on the map as a solo artist. He recorded with Matt Schultz at McNally Smith, and with Peter Anderson at the renowned Flowers Studios. Paul Boblett joined Glaros on bass, Billy Thommes banged the drums, and Peter Anderson supplied the glockenspiel and tambourine. You can witness Celebrated Summerteeth EP live at Glaros’s release show at the Aster Café on October 1st with very special guest Jeremy Ylvisaker.
http://astercafe.com/event/ben-glaros-cd-release-with-jeremy-ylvisaker-folk-rock-10
http://slimtownsingles.com/portfolio-item/ben-glaros-love-to-give/
Photo Credit Stephanie Glaros
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