Alexander Gilblom
Oceano, California, United States | SELF
Music
Press
When you spend 2 years working on one album you anticipate good results. I think Alexander Gilbhom has no reason not to be completely satisfied with his new self-titled release.
Gilbhom did a lion’s share of the work on this recording, playing all the instruments and handling the mixing and production chores. He had some help from friends on some tracks however it was mostly Gilbhom on this reflective group of tracks.
The 14 tracks that comprise this collection are upbeat rock-pop tunes that are influenced by the 60’s and 70’s style of music that dominated the airwaves. Gilbhom has a great voice and has a penchant for biting lyrics, making any cynicism that comes through a bit sweeter with soaring harmonies and some excellent guitar solos (note the playing by friend Ryan Green on “Easy On You”).
The cover alone catches your eye and really makes you think. Based on the lyrics and cover, Gilbhom likes the subject of life itself and the different relationships that shape it either positively or negatively. It’s all about emotions that you have with different people and as the cover indicates, it can be like a bullet aimed right at you. You are the target of inspiration for these ebbing and flowing emotions. All of this seems to be the inspiration of this collection of tracks.
Just as the album is rolling along with pop-rock gems like “Broken Days” and the best track “I Haven’t Killed In Days (Dear)” (which I think could break this album if it’s earmarked for the first single) along comes a country flavored track called “Baby, Let Me Teach You About Pain”. On the other side of the musical world “Who Did This To You” starts off innocently enough then explodes into an all-out rocker, it is the most powerful track on the recording. The guitar parts are furnished by friend Nathan Eshman.
This is an excellent album that is easy to like. There is not one dud. Mr. Gilbhom your patience paid off more than you will ever know. Let’s hope now there are some eager ears out there that are willing to listen and pay some attention to an indie artist that has the potential to become a literal hit machine. What listeners have to look forward to on this self-titled recording is a diversely talented artist that epitomizes the term singer/songwriter/musician.
4.5/5 Stars - AllAccessMagazine.com
When you spend 2 years working on one album you anticipate good results. I think Alexander Giblom has no reason not to be completely satisfied with his new self-titled release.
Giblom did a lion’s share of the work on this recording, playing all the instruments and handling the mixing and production chores. He had some help from friends on some tracks however it was mostly Giblom on this reflective group of tracks.
The 14 tracks that comprise this collection are upbeat rock-pop tunes that are influenced by the 60’s and 70’s style of music that dominated the airwaves. Giblom has a great voice and has a penchant for biting lyrics, making any cynicism that comes through a bit sweeter with soaring harmonies and some excellent guitar solos (note the playing by friend Ryan Green on “Easy On You”).
The cover alone catches your eye and really makes you think. Based on the lyrics and cover, Giblom likes the subject of life itself and the different relationships that shape it either positively or negatively. It’s all about emotions that you have with different people and as the cover indicates, it can be like a bullet aimed right at you. You are the target of inspiration for these ebbing and flowing emotions. All of this seems to be the inspiration of this collection of tracks.
Just as the album is rolling along with pop-rock gems like “Broken Days” and the best track “I Haven’t Killed In Days (Dear)” (which I think could break this album if it’s earmarked for the first single) along comes a country flavored track called “Baby, Let Me Teach You About Pain”. On the other side of the musical world “Who Did This To You” starts off innocently enough then explodes into an all-out rocker, it is the most powerful track on the recording. The guitar parts are furnished by friend Nathan Eshman.
This is an excellent album that is easy to like. There is not one dud. Mr. Giblom your patience paid off more than you will ever know. Let’s hope now there are some eager ears out there that are willing to listen and pay some attention to an indie artist that has the potential to become a literal hit machine. What listeners have to look forward to on this self-titled recording is a diversely talented artist that epitomizes the term singer/songwriter/musician.
4.5/5 stars - MuzikReviews.com
Discography
Rolling Stone Review (2003)
Angry Ballerina (2004)
Boy Meets Whiskey (2005)
Doldrums (2006)
Time Heals Nothing [EP] (2006)
Mariachi Static (2009)
A Way of Life [EP] (2010)
Alexander Gilblom (2011)
Photos
Bio
Music has been a journey of self-discovery for Alexander Gilblom rooted in the vigor and curiosity of youth. At 12 years of age, Alexander started teaching himself the drums and by 15 he was drumming and singing in his own cover band. By 17 Alex was writing and recording rock operas for school projects performing all of the instruments himself. At 18 during the summer before heading off to college, Alex recorded his first real attempt at an album, "Rolling Stone Review". Though he'd be the first to criticize the effort now, it's clear that the roots of something special were taking hold.
Fast forward almost ten years to 2010. Alexander has recorded five albums, played countless shows as a drummer or singer and guitarist (at one concert, Alex performed an acoustic set on guitar and vocals and then switched to drums for the headliner). With his brand new self-titled album, "Alexander Gilblom", Alex is showing the world he is not only an artist's artist, but a musician's musician, and a songwriter for the thoughtful. Unafraid to bare his soul with a confessional lyric or to throw down and go loud when it takes some volume to get his message across, Alex works at ease with all the power of his influences and his imagination right behind him. And he's not afraid to use it.
Available for solo acoustic performances nationwide. Catch Alexander at Fumee in Austin on March 19th during SXSW.
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