Gloss Drop

Battles | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: June 6, 2011
• Label: Warp Records
• Copyright: 2011 Warp Records Limited
• Total Length: 53:50
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• ASIN: B0051WC4DI
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,166 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It has Melodies! June 20, 2011

By M. Buisman

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. Read more ›

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally.. June 10, 2011

By Ibanezarus

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

4.0 out of 5 stars HAPPY MATH ATTACK! June 7, 2011

By s.t.

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.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very goo July 10, 2011

By A. McCloskey

Format:Audio CD

Dare I say Yes-like? King Crimson-like? With a kettle drum in certain tracks for a tropical flavor, like the pineapple wedge on the rim of a cool tall refreshing sweet progressive music drink. Get it and drink it up. Exclamation point.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Infectious--I can't help but like it September 10, 2011

By Scott Anderson

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

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. I put it on in the record store, and though I was set against electronic music with no singing--at least on the first track--but it is infectious. I've heard people say it has no soul, but it sure is fun. I read about the math that went into it, but for me it's the most innovative stuff dance tunes I've heard in a while. People said Mirrors with old singer Braxton is better. I tried Mirrors. In my opinion, this one's a lot better. I returned Mirrors and got this one. An MP3 wasn't good enough. I had to go vinyl on this and blast it. Electronic music is the music of this decade, but of all the stuff so far this sounds like it took more virtuosity than usual and for me has a lot of heart, if not soul. Glad I picked it up.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Mirorred, but thats ok with me August 5, 2011

By Z. Strankman

Format:MP3 Music

this album is full of ever changing styles and structures that make it absolutly, positively, fun to listen to. The craft of songwriting is on full display here, and these guys are complete masters of their respective instruments. thats the fun part for me, listening to the way the songs sound like they may have been crafted on a computer, only to realize they are played on standard guitars, keys, and a freakin beast of a drum set. John Stanier is doing things on this album that in my opinion, he didnt get to do on Mirorred. The syncopation here is breathtaking. The fills, the heavy metronome beats, to the frenetic off time changes he pulls off somehow, make me convinced that hes one of the best drummers working right now. I will go on record saying that i like Gloss Drop more then their debut LP, because it seems more eclectic, musically. The guest vocalists, the bumpier yet contained song structures, really work for me.yes, Mirrored was a groundbreaking album for many reasons, and while i found it to be totally unique and interesting, i just couldnt get into whatever they were trying to do with that one. I think the cartoon/chimpmunk vocals of Braxton were a big part of that. a lot of people thought it was genious, i thought it was kind of annoying most of the time. like fingernails on the chalkboard annoying. but Drop is different. the vocals complete the music, they are a part of it instead of being soooo out there and unique they stole the show, and not in a good way imo. bottom line, Battles have made a very impressive record here. the best of 2011 so far, hands down.