Search - Glossary :: How We Handle Our Midnights

Junkmedia.org Review - A gruff twang

junkmedia | Los Angeles, CA | 05/27/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Like a careering politician, Glossary's singer-songwriter Joey Kneiser knows how to stay on message on the band's third full-length, How We Handle Our Midnights. Unlike the often-lampooned leader of the U.S., however, Kneiser is a clever wordsmith, one who finds some hope amid small-town boredom, cynicism and helplessness. Still, his country-tinged songs ache with a longing for change.In a gruff twang that's less whiny than J Mascis' and not as snide as Evan Dando's, Kneiser pines for the simplicity of youth, yet also seeks to escape the bonds of familiarity. Using simple words to tell age-old tales, Kneiser sounds like he's singing from experience when he lands lines like, "Now we're working all week just to find that the person you always thought you'd be just got left behind."How We Handle... covers pretty much the same ground as the band's first two full-length albums and last year's Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts EP: time-tested, nuthin'-fancy country-rock that could please both Uncle Tupelo fans and more open-minded Skynyrd devotees.Album highlights include "Hold Me Down," the most classically country-sounding song on the disc; the hard-charging "When Easy Street Gets Hard to Find"; and the melancholy "Daylight Saving," which features dark images such as "Put my last breath in a jar/and hide under the mat of your car." The songs fit together well thematically and musically, but can be claustrophobic, with little room for band members to flex their musical muscles.Dave Brigham
Junkmedia.org Review"

Southern rock for those who are young, drunk, and in love

junkmedia | 04/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Usually when we think of southern rock bands, we instantly think one of two things. One, being a SRV or Skynnard rip off featuring tasteless virtuosos; and Two, mislabled, hyped, pop bands. (see Kings of Leon) Then there is this precious cusp where between the two meet that transcends the mediocrity and combines the hopeless, reckless abandon of Skynnard with a modern, lush, pop sensibilty. There you find Glossary. As much as critics like to hail the Drive-By Truckers as the next torchbearers for the so-called "southern thing," Glossary seems to hit a little closer to the mark, and the heart. No overbearing, lengthy guitar solos. No filler. No kitsch. (This despite the fact i think S.R.O. has its moments of brilliance and that the Truckers might be one of the most amazing, hardworking live bands i've ever seen.) For Glossary, it is all about the songs. The lyrics are touching, yet unfamiliar; and the music can go from etheral to driving. Indeed these are "songs about the southland," but more importantly, songs about our southland. For those of us born after the Skynnard plane crashed, in a south charged with romantic ideals, challenged with modernity."

Dictionary

James A. Boersma | Newport, KY | 02/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've loved these guys since I saw them in St. Louis at Frederick's Music Lounge. I've seen them with Two Cow Garage and Slobberbone. The CD is just as good as they are live, except that you're not holding up a drunk chick that you're hoping to feel up later."