Dale Crover
Glossolalia
Joyful Noise Recordings [2024]
“Dale Crover’s Glossolalia is a tour de force in genre-bending creativity, featuring raw energy and eclectic charm with talented friends.”
Album Overview: Dale Crover, a veteran drummer and musician known for his work with The Melvins, Nirvana, and Redd Kross, has been a pivotal figure in rock music for decades. His solo career began in earnest with 2017’s The Fickle Finger of Fate, followed by Rat-A-Tat-Tat! in 2021. While those albums drew on a wealth of past material, Glossolalia, his third solo release, emerged from a spontaneous burst of creativity. Armed with a Tascam 8-track, Crover explored new ideas, leaning on his extensive musical history and relationships with various collaborators. Glossolalia represents a fresh chapter in Crover’s solo career, blending a variety of sounds and guest performances. Recorded with Toshi Kasai, the album features 11 tracks that span different genres and moods. While guests like Tom Waits, Ty Segall, Rob Crow (Pinback), and Kim Thayil (Soundgarden) contribute their talents, it is Crover’s multi-instrumental skills and songwriting that anchor the record. The songs range from lively garage rock to darker, more introspective moments, resulting in an album that effortlessly moves through styles.
Musical Style: The album spans a wide range of sounds, drawing on garage rock, proto-metal riffs, and psych-pop influences. Crover also incorporates various guitar-driven and percussive elements, creating a mix that feels varied yet cohesive. While Crover’s signature drumming is present, he also shows off his guitar and bass abilities throughout the record. Each song features unique touches, whether through guest appearances or layered textures that add depth to the compositions.
Evolution of Sound: While Crover’s earlier solo work leaned more toward experimental sounds, Glossolalia reflects a more structured approach. The songs are tight and punchy, showing clear progression from his previous albums. The experimental edge remains, but the focus has shifted toward developing a consistent sound across the album. With input from longtime collaborators and new faces alike, the music takes on new dimensions while maintaining the spirit of Crover’s earlier releases.
Artists with Similar Fire: Listeners may draw comparisons to Ty Segall’s solo work, particularly his heavier, more guitar-driven material—helped by Ty’s involvement in several tracks. The raw energy and eclecticism also echo bands like Thee Oh Sees and the garage rock stylings of early Jack White projects. The occasional psychedelic flourishes and experimental tendencies might even bring to mind King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
Pivotal Tracks: The title track, “Glossolalia,” sets the tone with its unusual sound design, marked by the opening speaking-in-tongues sequence from Tom Waits. “Doug Yuletide,” co-written with Dan Southwick (Altamont), stands out for its Velvet Underground-inspired atmosphere. “Punchy” closes the album with a memorable psychedelic flourish. Other key tracks include “Spoiled Daisies,” featuring Ty Segall, and “I Quit,” where Kim Thayil delivers a powerful guitar performance.
Lyrical Strength: Throughout Glossolalia, Crover explores themes ranging from control and relationships to surreal, dreamlike narratives. His lyrics often stem from personal experiences or reflect broader existential questions. Tracks like “Rings” feature character-driven stories, while songs like “Don’t Worry About It” offer more introspective commentary on life’s uncertainties. Crover’s lyrics capture vivid, often cryptic scenes, adding to the album’s diverse sonic palette.
DALE CROVER LINKS
Instagram | Bandcamp | Joyful Noise Recordings
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