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Editorial Reviews
It is true that Gloss Drop is a bewitching, entrancing album that defies both categorization and easy analysis. Just as Mirrored was a massive leap on from the early EPs that first got them noticed, this is truly another seismic shift, propelling them once more into uncharted territory. It is a sheer sense of fun, unpredictability and inventiveness that sets Battles apart from every other contemporary group. Drummer John Stanier sums this up succinctly: ''I don't think challenging, new music has to be super serious all the time. That's really boring to me and pushing boundaries should not be boring.'' While other acts are content to deal in revivalism or stasis, Battles are still looking for far-off boundaries to study and then demolish, searching for new and exotic styles to mesh together. Stanier concludes: ''When we're writing songs, no one in this group has ever said 'Wait, we've gone too far. This isn't a Battles song.' Because what is a Battles song? We don't know. All I know is that there are no parameters and no boundaries. That is the whole point and has been since day one.''
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Battles' musical style is such that losing a member means losing all the songs he played on, which was shown at their show in the Melkweg not too long ago. No Atlas or Tonto were played, but it was still easily one of the best concerts of the year so far. The departure of Tyondai Braxton left some, including me, wondering what would become of the Battles sound. "Gloss Drop" provides the answer, and a surprising one. Some elements are still intact; John Stanier's drumming is still some of the best in the alternative music scene. It takes about a minute in opener `Africastle' but the pounding is relentless and tight, like it was on "Mirrored" but it does not dominate the album.
What has changed is the overall mood. "Mirrored" could be dark and brooding at times, "Gloss Drop" is at times almost upbeat. This is in part because of the high pitched keyboards, which Ian Williams has more space for now. It even has melodies! The drumming and beats are almost more towards hiphop where the funky beats have replaced the really weird solid beats on "Mirrored".
Dave Konopko still provides the rumbling background sound with bass and lowtuned guitar.
Braxton was the singer but has been replaced with a score of guest vocalists. How do they do this live you ask? Well, two screens show images of the singer singing the vocals, and this can be manipulated. The brilliant `Ice Cream' vocals are provided by Chilean/German Matias Aguayo, and even Gary Numan shows up in the drum-heavy `My Machines'.
It is unfair to compare "Mirrored" with "Gloss Drop". The moods of the album are different, mostly because of the changing musical dynamics. "Gloss Drop" is stronger overall. While lacking some of the top tracks like the monumental Atlas (maybe the best piece of alternative music recorded in the first decade of this century) it is easier to access and a more pleasant listening experience. One thing is still certain, Battles is still as unique as ever and is as 21st century as music can get.
What has changed is the overall mood. "Mirrored" could be dark and brooding at times, "Gloss Drop" is at times almost upbeat. This is in part because of the high pitched keyboards, which Ian Williams has more space for now. It even has melodies! The drumming and beats are almost more towards hiphop where the funky beats have replaced the really weird solid beats on "Mirrored".
Dave Konopko still provides the rumbling background sound with bass and lowtuned guitar.
Braxton was the singer but has been replaced with a score of guest vocalists. How do they do this live you ask? Well, two screens show images of the singer singing the vocals, and this can be manipulated. The brilliant `Ice Cream' vocals are provided by Chilean/German Matias Aguayo, and even Gary Numan shows up in the drum-heavy `My Machines'.
It is unfair to compare "Mirrored" with "Gloss Drop". The moods of the album are different, mostly because of the changing musical dynamics. "Gloss Drop" is stronger overall. While lacking some of the top tracks like the monumental Atlas (maybe the best piece of alternative music recorded in the first decade of this century) it is easier to access and a more pleasant listening experience. One thing is still certain, Battles is still as unique as ever and is as 21st century as music can get.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Fell in love with the different layers of Mirrored, with each song being kinda like a flaky pastry. Know what I mean? You peel it back and there's another tasty layer. Well Gloss Drop is more like a Gobstopper. Still has those tasty layers, but it's a totally different food altogether. I agree about cruising to this during the summer with the windows down and volume up. Good stuff guys.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Without former vocalist Tyondai Braxton around, 'Gloss Drop' of course feels a bit less "songy" than 'Mirrored.' But, really, who lists that quality among reasons to listen to Battles releases? Regardless, this is quite an infectious sugary rush of beats here, much more joyously kinetic than their pre-Mirrored material, and a number of guests vocalists stop by once in a while to change things up. All in all, "Gloss Drop" is an effortlessly enjoyable record that's a lot of fun to blast on some decent speakers. Current standout tracks: Ice Cream, Inch Worm, My Machines, and Sundown.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Hell yeah!
I think Gloss Drop wins 2011 for the most fitting pairing of image and music. The cover is highly representative of exactly what you're in for with this record; a big sticky mess... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Seth Mcarron
Addictive sounds
This album is truly addictive, ever since I first put it on I keep on listening to it, up to 4 times per night. Read more
Published 3 months ago by A. Schouten
Vinyl review - still distorted, but the dynamics are better than the...
Too few vinyl reviews here on Amazon, so adding my two cents in case you are considering a purchase. Read more
Published 4 months ago by roebeet
Battles- Gloss Drop
Solid follow up album to their 2007 album "Mirrored." You can read reviews everywhere online. The main reason I purchased this LP from Amazon was because it was in stock and it was... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Austin
Infectious--I can't help but like it
I didn't want to like this. I didn't know anything about Battles but this pile of pink string in the shape of ice cream just called out to me. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Scott Anderson
adult
thank you for this fascinating album.
it's inspiring and gets better and better every time i listen.
thank you for getting rid of the Excess Baggage. Read more
it's inspiring and gets better and better every time i listen.
thank you for getting rid of the Excess Baggage. Read more
Published 9 months ago by hertford-turtle
The last interesting modern band.
I bought this on a whim since i enjoyed their last album, "Mirrored." I must say, I am EXTREMELY pleased. Read more
Published 9 months ago by jro
Not Mirorred, but thats ok with me
this album is full of ever changing styles and structures that make it absolutly, positively, fun to listen to. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Z. Strankman
Bubblegum prog
"Gloss Drop" is unlike anything you're listening to right now, even if your iTunes playlist includes songs from Battles' prior and only other album, 2007's "Mirrored. Read more
Published 10 months ago by K. D. Kelly
good
Item didnt come right when I thought it would, I preordered it so I expected it to show up on its release date but it came a week later. The product its self is flawless!
Published 10 months ago by turtlebeard
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