The Glimmer Stars: "Someday's A Long Time" (2026) CD Review

The great Los Angeles music scene is really made up of several different scenes which sometimes overlap. One of the bands at the heart of one of those scenes, and having a delightful tendency to overlap with others, is The Glimmer Stars. The band has been delivering fun and energetic power pop and garage rock for like two decades. The kind of music that in better times would be on the charts, where of course it deserves to be. But on or off those charts, The Glimmer Stars seem to be gleefully dedicated to rocking our socks off and making us smile. The band is made up of the sort of musicians who are so in love with music that they will regularly show up at gigs where they're not even on the bill, supporting their fellow rockers and enjoying the action along with everyone else in the audience. In short, they are the real deal. And they show us exactly what they're about on their new album, Someday's A Long Time. First, just a few words about that title. There is something about the word "someday" that always grabs me. "Someday Never Comes" is my all-time favorite CCR song; "Someday" is one of my favorite songs by The Loomers; and there is a line from Steve Owen's song "Longing To Be" that hits me every time I hear it: "It's a different kind of cursing, but someday is the dirtiest word." The message is clear. Seize the moment. Life is what you're doing now. And isn't that precisely what rock is all about?

The album kicks off with "I Don't Wanna Let Go Tonight," which has a delicious classic rock sound to the guitar at the beginning, helping to set the tone, and to set our expectations, not just for this song but for the album. Basically, it tells us this going to be a fun disc. Paula Tiberius (of Richard Duguay's band) joins the trio on vocals (as she sometimes does at the band's concerts). "Hey, little gypsy, won't you let me take your hand/I got a broken heart, lady, you can understand." Every once in a while lead vocalist Mini Mendez reminds me of Bon Scott, and there are moments of this song where he does. Perhaps that's part of the great appeal for me, since High Voltage was one of the first albums I ever got when I was a child. That's followed by "I Can't Take The Heartache," which has a steady beat that feels empowering. It's like we're all marching away from heartache to a day of our own making, you know? "Well, every rainbow has its end/It's never just circumstance/You'll never get that chance/Because I can't take the heartache anymore." There is something catchy about this song, part of it in the vocal line, part in that steady rhythm. By the way, all the songs on this album are originals, written by Mini Mendez, who, in addition to the lead vocals, plays bass. Steven Soto is on guitar and vocals, and Richie Mendez is on drums and vocals.

"And I just want to run away/There's too much here to pay/I don't want to stay," Mini Mendez sings at the beginning of "Run Away." This song features a particularly good vocal line, and I especially love the way a single word drives the next line. There is a great need heard in that first word, as well as an energy, and that's what grabs us. And then in the second half of this track, there is a good lead on guitar. I wish that lead went on a little longer, actually, but these songs are all fairly short, between two and a half and three and a half minutes, just like those wonderful old rock and roll songs and punk songs. Then we get "I Need It Now," one of the album's best songs. This is one the band has been playing in concert lately, and it's a whole lot of fun, with a great beat. It's a song I loved from the first time I saw them play it, an immediate highlight of any set. "I'm gonna play a new song/So grab your tambourine/I'm gonna tell you, baby/I need it now/Na-na na-na now." And the chorus especially rocks, the chorus being just the line "I need it now," delivered it with power and joy. This is everything you want from a power pop number, from a rock song. And when you think it couldn't possibly get any better, we are treated to some delicious work on guitar toward the end.

"It's The Only Dream I Keep Around" has a sweeter, prettier sound, though still with a strong beat (don't you worry). "If I ever needed someone/The way I needed you/And you know I do." There is a hint of a 1960s influence in the sound, particularly the sound of the guitar. "And when I'm feeling down, I know you know the way/Know the way." I like how the repeated "Know the way" is emphasized, each word given its own moment. This is a song I like more each time I hear it. Paula Tiberius returns on vocals for "Autumn Girl." Here Mini Mendez sings, "And you can be yourself now/You can be/My autumn girl." I love that insistent beat in that moment, part of the song's appeal. And there is certain joy heard in Mini's delivery, particularly on lines like "Love is for the brave ones/When the angels sing/And if I had my one chance/I'd marry you in spring." There is a bit of a Willie Nile energy here, especially in his vocal performance.

I love the moment when "Love, Madeline" kicks in. "When the storms start to come/And you know where you belong/And the words I could quote/Were written in your note." So damn delicious! There is a delightful energy to the vocal approach, which helps to drive the song, both forward and into our hearts. Seriously, this is a wonderful song, one of the album's best. "So I run back to the scene/Far away, just like a dream/You treated me just like the rest/Put on your act and be your best." That's followed by "Snow In Hell." The first lines, "Take me to your leader/I'd like to meet her," make me think of what could have been, what should have been, in this country. This is another strong rock song, featuring some really good stuff on guitar, as well as a driving beat. "I want to know, I want to know/Will you tell me so/So, tell me now/Yes, tell me now/Will it snow in hell?" If you are a fan of AC/DC, as I am, you are going to fucking love this song.

"Maybe" is a catchy number, like a pop song that comes from a rock home, if you know what I mean. "Like the moon affects the tide/I only want you by my side/I want you to know, I want you to know/Maybe, maybe/And I'm still falling down/Maybe, maybe/And I still want you around." I love that passionate vocal performance. Shouldn't this song be a hit? It certainly feels like it to me. "And if the world should fade away/I'm in love with you today." Steven Wesley Guiles joins the band on vocals for the album's final track, "Better Day." Here are the song's opening lines: "I took the California blues just as far as I could take it/It's a different beat, but baby we could make it/And I know I think I do/And you know that it's always been you/And I'm coming here to stay." Yes, a positive, hopeful number (and a good rock number) to wrap things up.

CD Track List

1. I Don't Wanna Let You Go Tonight
2. I Can't Take The Heartache
3. Run Away
4. I Need It Now
5. It's The Only Dream I Keep Around
6. Autumn Girl
7. Love, Madeline
8. Snow In Hell
9. Maybe
10. Better Day

Someday's A Long Time was released today, May 8, 2026, through Rum Bar Records. The Glimmer Stars have upcoming gigs in Tuscon and Las Vegas, so if you live in those cities, keep an eye out for this band.