Excommunication (album)

''Excommunication'' is the first solo album by Neon Trees singer Tyler Glenn, released on October 21, 2016, by Island Records. The title of the album refers to Glenn leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in November 2015.

Background & Composition

The origin of the album was the LDS Church's 2015 decision to issue controversial policy changes restricting membership of LGBTQ parents and their children. Glenn says that the album is a story of how he grappled with losing his boyfriend at the same time that he was losing his faith because of the new LDS policy on excluding queer people. As Glenn explained in a Vice interview,

''Sometimes I'm talking to God, but a lot of times I'm talking to my ex throughout the record. The title'' Excommunication ''is a play on words, if you look at it that way: religious excommunication, as well as communicating with my ex.''

While Glenn approached the album as being a traditional rock exercise in expressing heartbreak, he overlay that thematic with a second lyrical concern regarding his Church's regressive work against queer people.

Glenn describes a key question guiding his lyrical exploration, leading him to ask: "How was this God that I felt like I had a relationship with -- how could he tell the leaders of the church to put out this new doctrine against gay people?" The album reveals the singer seeking and failing to find an answer to that question.

We take a journey away from the "Mormon rock star" label and onto Glenn as he is now: a seeker still asking, only now with the ability to ''disbelieve''—but, more to the point—and ''not'' ''know'' the rationale behind LDS teachings. As Glenn states,

''In the Mormon Church, the narrative is that you know the church is true; it's all this'' I know, I know, I know. ''For me, it's so refreshing to not know—there's a liberation in not knowing right now.''

The division between spiritual depth and contemporary rock sheen extends beyond the lyrics or subject matter, as the sound of the album combines the genre hallmarks of praise with a The album was described by ''Out'' as a "blend of synth-heavy electro jams and ballads that are equal parts Depeche Mode and Peter Gabriel." The single "John, Give 'Em Hell" was written in support of John Dehlin.

Release and promotion

The debut single from the album, "Trash," was accompanied by a music video. The single "Shameless" was accompanied by a music video denouncing the LDS Church. The album was released digitally on October 21, 2016. it was never issued in physical format on CD nor Vinyl Glenn performed the single "Midnight" on ''Live with Kelly and Ryan''.

Critical reception

In reference to the music video for "Trash," Brittany Spanos of ''Rolling Stone'' said "Glenn’s performance in the video is violent and incendiary, mirroring his troubled relationship with his religion. He spits out lyrics that reflect the self-loathing he felt upon hearing the ban on members of the LGBTQ community in the LDS Church last year." Chris Gerard of ''Washington Blade'' stated that the album "is as electrifying and upbeat as anything Neon Trees might have produced and boasts the added poignancy of exploring Glenn literally losing his religion."

Track listing

References

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2016 debut albums
Island Records albums
Excommunication
LGBTQ-related albums