Not sure why this has taken so long to happen, but finally, after nearly 30 years, we get a vinyl edition of the Glo-Worm compilation K first issued just after the band's demise in 1996. Formed in Washington D.C. in 1993 and led by the unmistakably lovelorn vocals of Pam Berry, the three piece were short-lived and economic in their output, releasing just the three 7"s during their lifetime. Berry tends to favour such arrangements, and you might see Glimmer as remarkably similar in form and function to The Shapiros (a contemporaneous outfit she also fronted) collection released by yours truly, gathering together all known output - originals and covers included - and presenting as a kind of album simulacra. And of course, what an 'almost-album' it does make, radiant indiepop miniatures that balance jangle and heartbreak in a manner we now fairly understand as 'classic'. Because nearly all the tracks come from singles - that most efficient of formats - there's zero filler to be found, while their take on 'Friday, I'm In Love' does that remarkable thing of casting the overly-familiar in new light and making it listenable again. What long term fans will perhaps enjoy most is the addition of three extra live tracks, lifted from a WHFS live session, that somehow bring an already intimate sounding group all that closer. I'm generally averse to using the word 'timeless', so let's say it another way (for the millionth time) - indiepop will never die (but you will).
Addendum - we found a box of Shapiros LPs. Get 'em HERE if you're still in need.
FFO: The Shapiros, Black Tambourine, The Cat's Miaow, Sarah Records
