Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:33 pm
by Tequila Cowboy
When Clams asked me to write a record review of Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires excellent new record There Is A Bomb In Gilead, I was going to write a long form review, but after thinking about it I decided instead to just present a review I posted on Amazon a month ago with a few new thoughts. Here it is:
Alabama sure is producing a lot of great music these days from bands like Alabama Shakes (recent tour partners of these guys), Doc Dailey & Magnolia Devil, The Pollies and of course the terrific Jason Isbell. Continuing that tradition of excellence, There Is A Bomb In Gilead is the debut album from Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires and on it the boys wear their Southern roots proudly. Previously (and possibly concurrently) Bains played with the great, unheralded masters of southern punk meets southern rock band The Dexateens and while his punk side is largely absent here, some of the same influences emerge. Clearly these guys grew up on gospel, punk, Muscle Shoals soul and seventies "classic" rock and take a little of each to make up their own identity. The harmonies are tight, the guitars soaring and the soul is ever present. Songs like "Centreville" sound like Lynyrd Skynyrd was on the turntable the day day they were writing it while others, like the amazing "Opelika" sound like the spirit of Levon Helm and The Band are right there beside them cheering them on. Another side of the band shows on "Magic City Stomp!" where they just go for a fun seventies style romp which wouldn't have sounded out of place on a K-Tel sampler in 1973. The closing title track brings it all back home with a back porch, Sunday morning sing along that shows off their Gospel side and their homespun acoustic side at the same time. It finishes the album right and may just make you hit repeat and start the whole thing over again.
The bottom line here is this an amazing record. It is by far and away the best debut I've heard in a long, long while and one of the three or four best of the last five years or so. Like most great records it doesn't really create anything new out of whole cloth but instead weaves a tapestry of sounds and influences masterfully. The album it reminds me of most is The Black Crowes Southern Harmony & Musical Companion. Much like that record you can pick out pieces of different bands, sounds and genres but in the end ends up sounding like nothing but itself. I don't think I've gone more than a day without listening to it in the two plus months I've had it and I still keep hearing new things. I guess the most remarkable thing about it is that this is their DEBUT! I can't wait to hear more from these guys.
and an interview with Lee:
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:55 pm
by Gang Green
TC, thanks for the feature. I got to see Lee Bains with Alabama Shakes, and I got the album when released and I'm liking it. Though it takes me forever to get through an album. I'll have to look out for all your other Amazon posts as I'm on there quite a bit.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:50 pm
by 211poundsofpork
Nice job, TC! I've seen those Lee Bains performances previously when they were posted on the Lee Bains thread, but I I think I'll watch 'em again! I'm on Amazon as well and had read your review before. Nicely done. (I put my review up there about a month ago - under 'pork turtle')
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:30 pm
by bovine knievel
This album gets better with every listen. I picked up a sweet purple vinyl too.
Nice writeup, TC
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:19 am
by RolanK
Great album. Great Review. I have thought about that cocktail of influences myself and how they still have their very own and unique style.
I also listen to the album almost every day lately. Hope to see them over here in Europe (actually they said they were planning to go next year when I wrote on their fb-page (thanks for the advice TC))
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 9:31 am
by Zip City
How many different singers are in this band? Every song sounds like a new singer
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 9:33 am
by Tequila Cowboy
Zip City wrote:How many different singers are in this band? Every song sounds like a new singer
Huh, i dont hear that at all. Lee sings all the lead vocals I believe.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 9:36 am
by Zip City
Tequila Cowboy wrote:
Zip City wrote:How many different singers are in this band? Every song sounds like a new singer
Huh, i dont hear that at all. Lee sings all the lead vocals I believe.
Some songs sound like a woman is singing, some sound like a guy
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 9:43 am
by Iowan
Tequila Cowboy wrote:
Zip City wrote:How many different singers are in this band? Every song sounds like a new singer
Huh, i dont hear that at all. Lee sings all the lead vocals I believe.
There are a couple songs where the vocals sound different to me, so I kind of figured someone else in the band took a track or two.
All clearly are sung by a man though.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 9:59 am
by Zip City
The opening track and the track after "stomp" sound like they are sung by a black woman
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 10:04 am
by cortez the killer
Zip City wrote:The opening track and the track after "stomp" sound like they are sung by a black woman
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 10:16 am
by Iowan
Zip City wrote:The opening track and the track after "stomp" sound like they are sung by a black woman
I don't hear this at all.
The influences I hear in Lee's singing are Elliot McPherson and Jason Isbell.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 10:31 am
by Zip City
Just clarifying. I still like it.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 10:32 am
by Tequila Cowboy
Zip City wrote:The opening track and the track after "stomp" sound like they are sung by a black woman
I'd love to make fun of you for this (just for giggles) but my roommate said the EXACT same thing . I don't hear it but there must be something to it.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 11:55 am
by one belt loop
Tequila Cowboy wrote:
Zip City wrote:How many different singers are in this band? Every song sounds like a new singer
Huh, i dont hear that at all. Lee sings all the lead vocals I believe.
I'm almost positive it's all Lee. Olwiggum can confirm, though.
As you all probably know, I adore this album.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:11 pm
by rlipps
Favorite album of the year by far. Made plans to go see them in Louisville last week, but my SI joint in my back went out and I was out of commission for a few days. I'll definitely see them live very soon, and it is Lee on all vocals.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:18 pm
by one belt loop
You going to MKE tomorrow, TC?
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:25 pm
by Zip City
Tequila Cowboy wrote:
Zip City wrote:The opening track and the track after "stomp" sound like they are sung by a black woman
I'd love to make fun of you for this (just for giggles) but my roommate said the EXACT same thing . I don't hear it but there must be something to it.
Brittany has a manlier voice than Mr. Bains
Still a good record though, regardless of who's singing
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:34 pm
by Tequila Cowboy
one belt loop wrote:You going to MKE tomorrow, TC?
I don't think it's going to work out. Kind of pissed about that but such is life.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:46 pm
by beantownbubba
Excellent review, TC. Excellent album.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:51 pm
by one belt loop
Tequila Cowboy wrote:
one belt loop wrote:You going to MKE tomorrow, TC?
I don't think it's going to work out. Kind of pissed about that but such is life.
How about Glossary and Lucero in DeKalb?
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 5:00 pm
by Tequila Cowboy
one belt loop wrote:
Tequila Cowboy wrote:
one belt loop wrote:You going to MKE tomorrow, TC?
I don't think it's going to work out. Kind of pissed about that but such is life.
How about Glossary and Lucero in DeKalb?
Pretty sure that's a yes.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 5:47 pm
by one belt loop
Tequila Cowboy wrote:
one belt loop wrote: How about Glossary and Lucero in DeKalb?
Pretty sure that's a yes.
I am now thinking I'd like to do this. If only the airfares would drop just a little.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 6:23 pm
by lajakesdad
I kinda thought the last song and title track was sung by a black woman until I saw the youtube video
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 6:39 pm
by Iowan
Tequila Cowboy wrote:
one belt loop wrote:
Tequila Cowboy wrote:I don't think it's going to work out. Kind of pissed about that but such is life.
How about Glossary and Lucero in DeKalb?
Pretty sure that's a yes.
I'm considering this as well.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 9:08 pm
by Gator McKlusky
beantownbubba wrote:Excellent review, TC. Excellent album.
+1 You oughtta write more Amazonian reviews TC.
diggin this album, may be my favorite of the year; don't hear any black women on it but now afraid I will.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 6:34 pm
by one belt loop
Also, Lee gets the attention because his name is on the band and he's a cutie and all, but they are all fantastic musicians.
And I love those dogs in the first video!
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 2:01 pm
by grapico
Get yur hands on a copy of (Lee's old band) Arkadelphia. It's right up there TABIG. "Walker County Loathing" is a rocker that needs to be at 11 every listen. Talented, talented folks.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 2:40 pm
by bovine knievel
where can i find a copy of Arkadelphia? I've searched and searched.
Re: Artist of the Week 6/25/2012 Lee Bains III & The Glory F
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:02 pm
by Van
bovine knievel wrote:where can i find a copy of Arkadelphia? I've searched and searched.
I've been trying to find a copy for a few years. I even asked Lee a couple time when I saw him with the Dexateens and the Glory Fires. He had nothing with him. Maybe this thread will produce something
I do have a live recording that I got from Dime a few years ago. That I love. It is from the Old Town Tavern 4.25-09. Shoot me a PM Bovine I will send you a copy.
