Gold Circle
2001
Abulum
About This Album
After Toad the Wet Sprocket disbanded in 1998, one of modern rock's simplistic mainstays tarnished many threads found in the ever-changing sound of alternative music. Glen Phillips, mastermind singer/songwriter with an entirely original passion, refrained from music for quite a while. The integral motivation behind his other band had made the breakup bittersweet, and Phillips focused on raising a family. But as clichéd as it might sound, a songwriter can never stay away from the beauty of a song for too long. The new millennium saw a replenished and revived Phillips, and the release of his first solo album, Abulum. This time around, he sticks to grainy acoustics, and lyrically he's become more basic. Gone are the glossy fairytale swan songs, and Phillips goes for an aesthetic not found in his previous work. The downplaying is welcomed, however. He's more personable, seen in a new and quite charming light due to his role as a father; therefore a fresh humor is noticeable. But what makes Phillips so enchanting is his way of detecting social discomforts and taboos. "Men Just Leave" plays with adult responsibility, with Phillips calling out his own gender while giving credit to the opposite sex for its continuous dedication to children, work, love, and spirituality.
Track List (try tracks 1,4 and 7)

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