Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Somewhere in the recesses of the mind, creativity can sparkle and take hold of a person. Once there it is near impossible to ever let it go back to being a dormant thought, unspoken and unloved. Even the most uncreative, unquestioning person in the world may find the small nagging voice speak softly but with purpose asking, begging to be set free, to fulfil something other than being an unthinking cog with no shred of inspiration. When the abundance of creativity is given full flow from a set of artists or musicians, the question should be, why might you want to put it away when you can create something rather marvellous?
Such is the two track debut release an important testimony to the belief of creativity from the group Glossom. Having cut his teeth on the band Funkanonymous, Anthony Kastelanides continues to thrill on guitar and backing vocals, Gareth Elliot gives a sincere performance on the bass during the two impressive tracks and with Gareth Dawson, James Orrin, Benedict Ewan Sisulu, Josh Philip and Alex Cottrell making this terrific ensemble something more than to smile about, there is a lot to take from a band that has come together in the good old fashioned way that saw bands such as The Electric Light Orchestra become a household name.
Two songs in of course does not make a group anywhere near ready to go all the way, many a band has been found wanting and running out of steam quicker than a 30 stone man racing against Usain Bolt in the 100 metres. However both tracks have the quality behind them, enough to make anyone dream of being able to catch this tight sounding unit make their way into the world. The two tracks, You Did It too yourself, which is a re-imaging of an unreleased Arthur Russell number, and Stop Me float with tremendous ease, the melody of the combined instruments and personalities strong and musically fulfilling. In short, a real joy to come across.
No one can ever tell if a group will last beyond a year or even six months, too many fall by the waysides after a while but there is something that makes this particular set of musicians feel like it’s going to be more than a passing phase.
Ian D. Hall