The Serpentine Similar Explained

The Serpentine Similar
Type:	studio
Artist:	Gastr del Sol
Cover:	theserpentinesimilar.jpg
Border:	yes
Recorded:	September – November 1992
Genre:	Art rock
Length:	31:02
Label:	TeenBeat
Producer:	Brian Paulson
Next Title:	Crookt, Crackt, or Fly
Next Year:	1994

The Serpentine Similar is the debut studio album by American indie rock band Gastr del Sol, released on June 1, 1993, by TeenBeat Records.^{[1] [2]} The album was re-released by Drag City on June 16, 1997.^[3]

Background

Guitarist David Grubbs and drummer John McEntire had played together in the post-hardcore band Bastro with bassist Clark Johnson. When Johnson left Bastro in 1991 to attend law school, Bundy K. Brown joined and the group began writing new material, later documented as the instrumental live album Antlers: Live 1991. These songs were then reworked as quieter, acoustic versions for The Serpentine Similar as Bastro became Gastr del Sol.

Critical reception

In 2007, The Guardian concluded that "art rock doesn't get much brighter or more accessible."^[4]

Personnel

Adapted from The Serpentine Similar liner notes.^[5]

Gastr del Sol

• Bundy K. Brown – instruments
• David Grubbs – instruments

Additional musicians

• John McEntire – additional percussion

Production and additional personnel

• Michael O'Bannon – cover art
• Brian Paulson – production, recording

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
United States	1993	TeenBeat	CD, LP	TEENBEAT 95
	1997	Drag City		DC106

Notes and References

1. Web site: Teen-Beat 95. Gastr Del Sol. The Serpentine Similar.. TeenBeat Records. July 4, 2020.
2. Book: Earles . Andrew . Gimme Indie Rock: 500 Essential American Underground Rock Albums 1981-1996 . 2014 . Voyageur Press . 125.
3. Web site: Gastr del Sol – The Serpentine Similar. Drag City. July 4, 2020.
4. News: 1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die . The Guardian . Nov 19, 2007 . Supplement . 3.
5. The Serpentine Similar. Gastr del Sol. 1993. booklet. TeenBeat Records. Arlington, Virginia.