GLOSS REJECTION

I've extolled the virtues of the "retro" sounding bands more times in these pages than I would like to count, just as I have caught myself waxing nostalgic for other times. I think "we" (and I am clearly referring to the elderly-in-waiting here) yearn for the blankets of those other times not because the sounds were better, not because the shows were better....but because they were ours. And the lives we associate with those times were simpler. And we (thought we) were in control, if only of ourselves. When you break down your problems and your stresses and all fingers point to abusive social circles and abusive family members...at least in the moment that's something that you think you can wrap your head around, even though the waves caused by your inability to do so will ripple out for the rest of your days. But that night, hugging your knees to your chest and sobbing silently and lost beyond belief....the illusion of control is a lifeline. Just like the circle pit when you flail like you've gone completely mad, hurling yourself to the concrete with complete disregard for personal safety, much less the well being of anyone else. In the world. Because you're in fucking control. The soundtracks to those nights become inseparable from the nights themselves, and we yearn for the illusion of self control. When the oppression was an abstract even when it was very fucking real, only because you didn't understand. And now we understand...and so we use whatever tools we can to try to retreat.

None of this is to say that GLOSS REJECTION are a throwback to my different time. An argument could be made that all of this is not really to "say" much of anything, and is just taking up space between the cover image and the download link - but that argument might expose your true motives so I urge you to think carefully before stepping in it. GLOSS REJECTION exist neither in my past nor anyone else's. The guitars are '82 Pearl Thompson, and the vocals are from a different but completely familiar place. The sounds are lumbered, beautiful, hesitant to exude the confidence that they don't seem to be quite comfortable with....yet. They are the future past for a present day adult-in-waiting. They are surely that soundtrack for someone. That lifeline for someone. And for those someones, they will fade into a powerful and invaluable memory.

 LIGHT RELEX

...your curtains are wearing thin...