Blake Solomon
01/03/08, 11:41 PM
Gillmor – Counting The Days
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: Summer 2007
I can see it all so clearly:
The camera opens on a serene swimming pool. One lone character comes into view with an acoustic guitar and contagious enthusiasm. Within 30 seconds the scene is filled with hip, hot 20-somethings all diving into the pool. Dolphins leap out of the water, each one being ridden by mermaids. Ryan Gillmor (the lone figure from before and fearless leader of the band) smiles even wider as his band's sure-to-be HIT, “Hey!” finds its way to the first catchy chorus. Everything becomes bathed in a bright yellow light while piano notes tinkle. The video continues as we see Gillmor impatiently waiting for some tan chick to find the perfect outfit. Clothes are flying, guitars are strumming, and Gillmor ducks right out of there. In his words, he’s “Better off without you.” So true; who needs to sit still when you can get out in the sun and be free? We end up in a crowded park. People are dancing and singing along with Gillmor. A painter with a handlebar mustache is creating a beautiful picture of youth and endless summer days. People interlock hands, dogs chase after Frisbees, cell phones sit untouched. It’s about the closest thing to free love since “music” festivals in San Francisco during the 60’s. Sure, it’s cheesy, but it’s not LFO cheesy or anything. The camera rests on a setting sun burning dark orange. Gillmor surveys his pleasant court of merry jesters. He prepares to play another song, another hit. The screen goes bright white.
I look a bit farther down on my computer screen and see that “Hey!” has racked up over 1 million views on Youtube (and 3 million plays on Myspace). I smile and wonder how cozy Gillmor’s new palatial estates must feel. They deserve it, and mark my words, this song will sponsor a Gap campaign. Or, maybe, the next photo slideshow I create. Either way, you’ll be hard pressed to find another break-up song that’s so catchy and optimistic and, well, cheery. I want to get a girlfriend just so I can get dumped and listen to this song in a Sebring convertible.
I may look like a fool if none of this comes true, but that’s never stopped me before.
Ha, yes, there are other songs on Counting The Days. They’re good, too. However, it’s hard to surpass the catchiness of “Hey!” While listening to it, I am reminded of songs that swept the nation in the past; songs like “Absolutely (Story Of A Girl)” by Nine Days or “Little Black Backpack” by Stroke 9. But I also think about the indie sensibility of piano-pop bands akin to Jack’s Mannequin. Accessibility is the name of the game. Gillmor has a smooth tenor that checks the whiny angst at the door (even when lamenting plenty on slower songs “Without You” or “In This Moment”). However, even in the presence of a jackhammer, Counting The Days would hardly be considered groundbreaking. Get over that fact, which, let’s face it, nobody cares about nearly as much as they say, and you’ll have 7 songs perfect for any carefree karaoke session.
“Kids Will Be Kids” is rebellious in the same way that a preppy kid takes up skateboarding rather than squash. Gillmor looks back on his past and wonders how he got to this point in his life. He belts out, “I can’t believe that I’m still around!” Must be some story there. Despite the obvious strife being detailed, poppy percussion and guitars hinting at classic Americana keep the mood light. A punk band may make a song like this sound very rough, but Gillmor lay the pop on thick. The track could easily be the group's follow-up single, or on the soundtrack to a new Kate Hudson movie.
Strange review aside, Gillmor should have a bright future. See them now before ticket prices skyrocket and Perez Hilton blogs about their drummer hitting a stalker with his Benz. Yes, they’ll be that big.
Recommended If You Like: Nine Days, Jack's Mannequin, prospecting, The Morning Of (sans females), blog safaris
www.myspace.com/gillmormusic
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: Summer 2007
I can see it all so clearly:
The camera opens on a serene swimming pool. One lone character comes into view with an acoustic guitar and contagious enthusiasm. Within 30 seconds the scene is filled with hip, hot 20-somethings all diving into the pool. Dolphins leap out of the water, each one being ridden by mermaids. Ryan Gillmor (the lone figure from before and fearless leader of the band) smiles even wider as his band's sure-to-be HIT, “Hey!” finds its way to the first catchy chorus. Everything becomes bathed in a bright yellow light while piano notes tinkle. The video continues as we see Gillmor impatiently waiting for some tan chick to find the perfect outfit. Clothes are flying, guitars are strumming, and Gillmor ducks right out of there. In his words, he’s “Better off without you.” So true; who needs to sit still when you can get out in the sun and be free? We end up in a crowded park. People are dancing and singing along with Gillmor. A painter with a handlebar mustache is creating a beautiful picture of youth and endless summer days. People interlock hands, dogs chase after Frisbees, cell phones sit untouched. It’s about the closest thing to free love since “music” festivals in San Francisco during the 60’s. Sure, it’s cheesy, but it’s not LFO cheesy or anything. The camera rests on a setting sun burning dark orange. Gillmor surveys his pleasant court of merry jesters. He prepares to play another song, another hit. The screen goes bright white.
I look a bit farther down on my computer screen and see that “Hey!” has racked up over 1 million views on Youtube (and 3 million plays on Myspace). I smile and wonder how cozy Gillmor’s new palatial estates must feel. They deserve it, and mark my words, this song will sponsor a Gap campaign. Or, maybe, the next photo slideshow I create. Either way, you’ll be hard pressed to find another break-up song that’s so catchy and optimistic and, well, cheery. I want to get a girlfriend just so I can get dumped and listen to this song in a Sebring convertible.
I may look like a fool if none of this comes true, but that’s never stopped me before.
Ha, yes, there are other songs on Counting The Days. They’re good, too. However, it’s hard to surpass the catchiness of “Hey!” While listening to it, I am reminded of songs that swept the nation in the past; songs like “Absolutely (Story Of A Girl)” by Nine Days or “Little Black Backpack” by Stroke 9. But I also think about the indie sensibility of piano-pop bands akin to Jack’s Mannequin. Accessibility is the name of the game. Gillmor has a smooth tenor that checks the whiny angst at the door (even when lamenting plenty on slower songs “Without You” or “In This Moment”). However, even in the presence of a jackhammer, Counting The Days would hardly be considered groundbreaking. Get over that fact, which, let’s face it, nobody cares about nearly as much as they say, and you’ll have 7 songs perfect for any carefree karaoke session.
“Kids Will Be Kids” is rebellious in the same way that a preppy kid takes up skateboarding rather than squash. Gillmor looks back on his past and wonders how he got to this point in his life. He belts out, “I can’t believe that I’m still around!” Must be some story there. Despite the obvious strife being detailed, poppy percussion and guitars hinting at classic Americana keep the mood light. A punk band may make a song like this sound very rough, but Gillmor lay the pop on thick. The track could easily be the group's follow-up single, or on the soundtrack to a new Kate Hudson movie.
Strange review aside, Gillmor should have a bright future. See them now before ticket prices skyrocket and Perez Hilton blogs about their drummer hitting a stalker with his Benz. Yes, they’ll be that big.
Recommended If You Like: Nine Days, Jack's Mannequin, prospecting, The Morning Of (sans females), blog safaris
www.myspace.com/gillmormusic