Album Review: Gloriana – Gloriana
It is inevitable that all dual-gender vocal harmony groups will be compared to Fleetwood Mac. Those comparisons, of course, are often fueled by the artists themselves–in interviews and bios they routinely cite the hippie-era pop group as a primary influence. That a given band contains boys and girls who blend their voices together in order to make pretty sounds doesn’t necessarily render that comparison valid, however, and the truth is that despite the typical rhetoric there is seldom much of a musical connection to Fleetwood beyond that fact that when four people sing at the same time it creates a certain recognizable auditory effect. With every voice that is layered into a mix it becomes more difficult for particular sonic elements to stand out, and that can cause a vocal band—no matter how precious its individuals pieces may be—to sound a heck of a lot like every other vocal band.
Outside of that there is little that links Gloriana to the music of Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks and company. In fact, with its self-titled debut album this Nashville foursome, incubated by Matchbox 20 helmsman Matt Serletic, has carved out a piece of musical territory that owes more to its own creative vision than it does to any single influence (regardless of that influence’s preeminence). Gloriana is a smooth pack of highly polished pop country that churns along thanks to its slick rhythms and systematic, looping percussion. Serletic’s tracks are bouncy and keep even the album’s downbeat moments plowing forward towards its hooky, think choruses.
Gloriana has perfected the “one voice” persona, and for better or worse the fusion of these four singers results in something quite distinctive, their harmonies blending so sweetly that when all join together the sound feels almost synthetic, as if this voice we’re hearing is coming not from a man or a woman but from some higher form of musical being. Unfortunately, while the result sounds beautiful, it also sounds over processed and impersonal. Throughout these 13 tracks the members of Gloriana weave in and out of each other like players on a stage, exiting left and entering right only to join at times for climactic choral arrangements.
Listening to Gloriana is to witness a performance, not to commune with an emotion, a story or a character. And despite the generally fine material present here—it’s nice to see Stephanie Bentley’s name on a number of writing credits—none of it feels very real. Somewhere between Serletic’s use of his slick production hand and the group’s attempts to make the best uses of its vast store of talent the record lost its soul. Even when the tracks make way, as they often do, for tasteful instrumental segments, the transitions often feel awkward and calculated, as if they were designed solely for the sake of symmetry.
Gloriana is an album that should go a long way towards silencing anyone who doubts the group’s talent or creative ambition. But there is a barrier between them and us that is hard to break through. The album sounds sweet but is so slick that it slides right off us, so perfect that when we touch it we feel only the smoothness of its edges. And while it is entertaining, and, to a point, endearing, it’s difficult to fully connect with music that sounds so artificial.
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August 5, 2009 at 10:03 am Permalink
I have only heard bits and pieces, but I agree with you…an album that could be better then it is, but is too overproduced
August 5, 2009 at 10:03 am Permalink
“It is inevitable that all dual-gender vocal harmony groups will be compared to Fleetwood Mac.”
No, it isn’t. I myself try to compare them all to Steeleye Span, or at least to Fairport Convention. I never even think about Fleetwood Mack. If I can help it, I mean.
August 5, 2009 at 10:05 am Permalink
NM–maybe you don’t, but in critical circles I almost never read anything about LBT or Gloriana that doesn’t mention Fleetwood.
August 5, 2009 at 10:11 am Permalink
I haven’t heard it yet… but this review makes me want to at least give it a listen.
August 5, 2009 at 10:17 am Permalink
I wasn’t going to buy it, but thank you for confirming my opinions.
August 5, 2009 at 10:19 am Permalink
I was listening “Wild At Heart” just the other day and my sister asked me: “Are you listening Backstreet Boys?” haha
August 5, 2009 at 10:23 am Permalink
I like them a lot, I just wish I could strip away about five layers of the production.
August 5, 2009 at 10:27 am Permalink
How about that FORCED meeting of LBT and Lindsey Buckingham on Crossroads?? It was so obvious that Buckingham was not impressed at all that someone had the idea to shoehorn LBT into Fleetwood Mac’s world.
August 5, 2009 at 10:36 am Permalink
Having been at the taping, I can assure you that was not the case.
August 5, 2009 at 10:54 am Permalink
I knew Chris N wouldnt stand for someone bashing LBT. I’ve always wanted to go to one of those tapings, and that was a good episode, I thought.
August 5, 2009 at 10:54 am Permalink
NM “I myself try to compare them all to Steeleye Span”
Huh? I dunno anyone on the planet that sounds like Steeleye Span. May as well compare them to Ozzy…
(I love SS…. especially Now We Are Six)
August 5, 2009 at 10:55 am Permalink
I think Lindsey is a guy who can be perceived as “standoffish” but if you read the histories of FM, you know he was a driven perfectionist. I think he actually liked LBT from all i read afterwards. also, the fact that Mellencamp had Karen Fairchild on his entire album, says something.
My only problem with LBT is the material. They could use a Matt Serletic to guide them. I read somewhere they were bringing in writers for the 3rd album. I presume because the last album was a big disappoinment.
As for Gloriana, it is what it is, but Id certainly much rather hear “Wild at heart” than Small Town USA or Boots on , or any other of these atrocious songs on the radio these days.
August 5, 2009 at 10:55 am Permalink
Good review, but who is “Mike Fleetwood”? It’s always been Mick Fleetwood. The mighty Mac only had three singers, so Gloriana has one up on them there. Four singers, boys and girls, I tend to think Mamas and Papas.
August 5, 2009 at 10:58 am Permalink
I haven’t heard the album, but your assessment perfectly describes what I took away from their EP, which was on sale for .99 cents as an Amazon Daily deal awhile ago.
August 5, 2009 at 12:19 pm Permalink
I was hoping that all four of them would have more solo parts within each song instead of one taking the lead for a certain song. Less groups seem to do that instead focusing on one singer.
August 5, 2009 at 12:28 pm Permalink
When I first heard “Wild At Heart” I thought it was a generic car commercial.
August 5, 2009 at 2:07 pm Permalink
Hey Jim, When is there going to be a discussion about “Can You Duet” like last year? OR did I miss it?
August 5, 2009 at 2:14 pm Permalink
We didn’t schedule live blogs of the show this year. But expect more live blogs of things like this in the future.
August 5, 2009 at 3:25 pm Permalink
Jim, that’s why I”m not a critic.
JD, the operative word is “try.”
August 5, 2009 at 4:10 pm Permalink
Jim: “NM–maybe you don’t, but in critical circles I almost never read anything about LBT or Gloriana that doesn’t mention Fleetwood.”
Problem is, there are other “dual-gender vocal groups” besides LBT and Gloriana. Off the top of my head, there’s Alison Krauss & Union Station, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band and the Claire Lynch Band, and I don’t recall seeing any of them compared to Fleetwood Mac. And, of course, there are millions of people who have heard dual-gender vocal groups including Little Big Town and Gloriana who might not have heard much, if anything, of Fleetwood Mac, or who, even if they had, might not leap to make the comparison. So it might have been better to have been a little less sweeping in the opening line.
The group sounds interesting, and I’m fairly confident that my sense of “over-production” is a little different than some other folks’, so I’ll be checking out the album.
August 5, 2009 at 4:20 pm Permalink
Comparing Rhonda Vincent and The Rage to a group that is primarily a vocal ensemble makes no sense.
August 5, 2009 at 4:31 pm Permalink
If you are going to compare Claire Lynch band or AK&USFJD to LBT or Gloriana, you might as well include gospel & r&b groups. As they’re about the same distance from Fleetwood Mac.
LBT & Gloriana have similar pop harmony sensibilites as FM ,hence the natural comparison. -
Rumours is still one of the biggest albums ever and Fleetwood Mac is right there with Eagles, engrained in everyone’s musical data bank. Including teenagers. Teens must have made up 20% of a recent FM concert. Timeless music and harmonies.
August 5, 2009 at 4:35 pm Permalink
“I don’t recall seeing any of them compared to Fleetwood Mac”
But were they compared to Steeleye Span? That’s the important question.
Of course, Jon, looking at your list I suddenly flashed on the Steeldrivers. And I’m mentally comparing them to Steeleye Span *right now*.
But most of all, play nice, you two. I mean it.
August 5, 2009 at 4:53 pm Permalink
AKUS et.al., Gloriana and LBT all play on the Opry, have videos aired on CMT and GAC, get covered in country publications, etc. But my point was that “dual gender vocal groups” covers an awful lot of ground, and the genres you point to just underline that. And sorry, but Fleetwood Mac is *not* engrained in everyone’s musical data bank. It’s a big ol’ world out there.
August 5, 2009 at 5:03 pm Permalink
I’d say that anyone who follows music even remotely knows Fleetwood mac. Id be safe in assuming that 100% of people on this board not only have heard of them, but know atleast 5 of their songs. They are probably one of the 10 most popular American bands of all time.
August 5, 2009 at 5:25 pm Permalink
9513 contributor Ken Morton gave this album 2.5 stars over at That Nashville Sound, so you’re being lenient Jim! (lol) Gloriana puts on a fine acoustic live show but I’d never consider buying this album based upon “Wild At Heart”. The production on that song embodies everything I find distasteful about the current “Young Country” mainstream sound. Fast Ryde’s “That Thang” has the same effect on me as well.
If this band ever does an “unplugged” acoustic album, say like the Jayhawk’s “Live At The Women’s Club” I might actually be interested. Enlisting some gifted songwriters wouldn’t hurt either, say along the lines of Angela Kaset, Angaleena Presley, and Leslie Satcher.
August 5, 2009 at 5:35 pm Permalink
Rick-While I wouldnt expect Gloriana to win any critic polls, comparing a decent country/pop tune to “That Thang” might be a bit much.
That Thang, and Boots On, and any Lost Trailers upbeat song is the worst kind of forced stereotype bs country music. I would love to know the thought process at a record label when they greenlight this crap.
August 5, 2009 at 6:42 pm Permalink
Rob Thomas didn’t write any of these did he?
August 5, 2009 at 7:57 pm Permalink
I have no clue who Fleetwood mac. Now after looking them up its sounds like the music i try to stay away from. Also, whenever there is two guys and two girls i think of Abba first before others groups with two guys and two girls.
August 5, 2009 at 8:09 pm Permalink
Kim, no he didn’t. But his record producer is the one used by Gloriana (Matt Serletic).
August 6, 2009 at 6:22 am Permalink
“I’d say that anyone who follows music even remotely knows Fleetwood mac. Id be safe in assuming that 100% of people on this board not only have heard of them, but know at least 5 of their songs. They are probably one of the 10 most popular American bands of all time.”
They may be, but you’re not safe in your assumption. I lost interest in rock music, including them, several years before Buckingham and Nicks joined the band, don’t remember any of the stuff they recorded before then (except hmm, didn’t they do “Black Magic Woman?”), and only know “Landslide” because the Dixie Chicks covered it. To folks who don’t have an interest in rock and pop – and there are millions of them – Fleetwood Mac’s barely on the radar. And even if they were more prominent there, it doesn’t mean that they’re an inevitable comparand for any dual gender vocal group; the opening sentence in the review is unnecessarily and distractingly over-generalized, as Jim’s clarification made clear. It’s a big ol’ world out there.
And Jim, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage *are* “primarily a vocal ensemble” (even more so than AKUS). Have you never listened to her records or seen one of their shows? Same with Kenny & Amanda and their band, and same for just about every bluegrass group, since it is – no matter what those un- or or only marginally familiar with it may think – primarily a vocal form. And AKUS have been nominated for the CMA’s Vocal Group of the Year award multiple times, yet AFAIK have managed to avoid frequent comparison to Fleetwood Mac.
August 6, 2009 at 7:15 am Permalink
Sad that these days Fleetwood Mac is compared to the likes of Gloriana or Little Big Town. I lived in England 1969-1971 and at that time Fleetwood Mac was led by guitarist Peter Green and was a primarily instrumental blues/rock group – no female vocalists at all and the emphasis being on the musicianship, which was of extremely high quality. If you can find it, check out “Albatross” from their classic album PIOUS BIRD OF GOOD OMEN
August 6, 2009 at 7:49 am Permalink
Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album alone has sold over 40 million copies. I’d say that one would pretty much have to have one’s head up their a$$ not to know who they are.
August 6, 2009 at 8:09 am Permalink
Just because an artist sells 40 million doesn’t mean everyone going to know them. They haven’t really had anything popular since late 80. The only way younger people find this group is because they like genre so others who don’t like rock music will have no clue who thy are.
August 6, 2009 at 8:38 am Permalink
Im with you Paul. I think’s its fine to like all the incarnations of FM. Love the Peter Green stuff. He’s probably second to Clapton as Guitar God of Late 60’s England. That music is some of the best there is. even the Bob Welch stuff is pretty good. Im with you JD, while perifery folks might not know FM, anyone who is spending quality time on any music board, would and should know their music.
August 6, 2009 at 8:58 am Permalink
I dont really care for what Glorianna is doing here, from a stylistic point of view, but for what it is, its pretty good. I havent listened to the album, just the single, so as far as production goes, I cant speak to that. I saw them at 3rd and Lyndsley opening for Due West. It may have been two summers ago. Again, I didnt care a whole lot for their style, but I can at least speak for the fact that they do sound the same live as they do on record. Sadly, these days thats something to point out as a compliment…as opposed to an understood requirement.
August 6, 2009 at 9:33 am Permalink
Troy…….strange that you can remember ABBA, which hasn’t done anything since 1982 but your excuse for not knowing Fleetwood Mac is that they haven’t done anything of note since the late eighties, despite the fact that they’ve been active from 1967 to the present.
August 6, 2009 at 9:47 am Permalink
I can only imagine what life is like in a world where Steeleye Span is popular and Fleetwood Mac isn’t.
August 6, 2009 at 9:51 am Permalink
For one thing, the radio is less annoying.
August 6, 2009 at 10:34 am Permalink
Well, best of luck to you there.
August 6, 2009 at 11:19 am Permalink
I didn’t say there is such a world. I wish, though….
I did say that if *I* am going to be thinking about a baseline-mixed-male-and-female-musical-harmonies-group-with-some-nifty-guitar-work-too group, *I* think of Steeleye Span. It was a joke about Jim’s use of “inevitable”, which in itself was a comment about how critics easily lapse into least common denominator comparisons, and I think he understood it that way.
August 6, 2009 at 11:46 am Permalink
Interesting quote from a Houston Chronicle interview with the band…
One of the members is Cheyenne Kimball, a former MTV reality star and self-described guitar-playing wild child from Dallas.
“Fleetwood Mac is one of my favorite bands. Stevie Nicks is one of my biggest inspirations,” said Kimball, 19. “It’s really cool to be a part of something like this. It is really trendy.”
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/music/6560655.html
August 6, 2009 at 1:21 pm Permalink
“it is really trendy”?? Someone get her PR person on the phone, that is unacceptable. But probably true!
August 6, 2009 at 4:35 pm Permalink
Dudes, knowing who Fleetwood Mac is and being familiar with their music to the extent of using them as a comparand for much of anything are two different things. And it’s truly odd for people posting on a country music blog to be so unwilling to acknowledge that rock and roll isn’t the lingua franca of everyone who likes music. It’s a big ol’ world out there.
August 6, 2009 at 6:12 pm Permalink
Who’s Rob Thomas;) I know Thom Schyuler
August 6, 2009 at 6:43 pm Permalink
In this case, Rob Thomas is NOT the guy who wrote Rats Saw God and created Veronica Mars.
August 6, 2009 at 9:05 pm Permalink
@JD Abba is in more pop culture. Recently, that movie Momma Mia came out so they had headlines for that. Also, they have sold more Albums then fleetwood mac. Still i could only name three of Abba’s songs Mama Mia, and Dancing Queen. And Waterloo because it won Eurovision. Finally Abba falls under pop more than Rock. You could probably name a country singer from 40 years ago that stopped in the 80’s over a successful eurodance singer that’s been around from 1967 to the present.
August 21, 2009 at 12:08 am Permalink
At first listen, they remind me of a Praise and Worship band… enough ugh factor for me.
October 7, 2009 at 2:29 pm Permalink
I love all your music. It is the best country music EVER!!
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