Gloss

Description

The Gloss is the second album by Cola. Since its inception, Cola has developed a DIY ethic from the Dischord and SST eras, creating powerful sounds from a minimal palette of drums/bass/guitar and intertwining its songs with enticing lines and societal commentary. What’s another word for comment? Gloss, apparently. Never basic, the lyrics reward repeated listening for deeper meanings. The light writings of David Berman, who makes poetry through garage, are an inspiration, as is the lighter side of British New Wave and the Dunedin sound. The proof is in the pudding: sometimes sparse and poetic, sometimes a thrilling good time packed with hooks, like with the cheeky romantic sketch of a one-night stand that overflows with so many innuendos and journalistic discussions that it almost tips into self-parody. But the results are the right mix of lightness and sincerity. Romance is never far from laughter, and never far from righteous anger in Cola's music: “Pulling quotes now in the dark/Our perspective is narrow/Your tongue might weaken to fit your smile/Till nothing wrong remains.” "Enough said. It’s an album brimming with energy, wit, and ideas, filled to the brim.