Glass - The Sound of Glass

by Lisa Torem

published: 30 / 5 / 2010

Label: Essence Recordings
Format: CD

Magically eccentric and surreal debut album from York-based band Glass, which was inspired by the alleged memoirs of Anthony Phlip Glass, a 19th century inventor and showman

Review

In 2008 Alexander King, a member of the York-based band Glass, allegedly found memoirs related to 19th century Anthony Philip Glass, an inventor and showman. He had apparently designed a machine which transmitted sounds through time. The singer/guitarist was so intrigued by the man’s fantastical life that he used the life story as a backdrop for the band’s debut ‘The Sound of Glass.’ The seven tracks are as wildly inventive as their namesake. ‘Driftwood’s Daughter’ poses the queries: “Why do people live underground when the skies are grey?/Why do people sit on their hands when their lives okay?” An assemblage of spoken word set against sonic montage and delicious dissonance presides on this breathtaking first cut. Menacing bass and weird, but wonderful comments like, “I channeled emeralds falling through your chain” and “heartbreak soldiers never seem to miss” roll through ‘Without.’ The bizzare imagery continues on ‘Nothing in the World’ where we hear “the frosting of the glass paints pictures.” ‘When the Rain Falls’ generates even more wordplay with combustible observations that sprout wings against out of control erratic strings. ‘The Last Transmission’ is the most apocalyptic. Hollow guitar embraces “conversations with the ghosts of the animals.” Imagine David Bowie meets Frank Zappa on an episode of 'The Twilight Zone' and you may come close. ‘My Elan’ tells us, “I have pills to keep me thin/I have pills to keep you out” and unexpectedly transitions to a more demonic platitude where we’re emphatically told: “bite my hand.” While the lyrics are thought-provoking and fodder for more extensive thoughts, the backing music takes unique risks measure to measure. Turbulent bass lines, cavernous key changes and random vocal utterances are slung from somewhere low- down. No, this is not music you can idly turn on, while gazing out of the window, awaiting the sunset; ‘Glass’requires frequent mood alterations. Expect to experience awe-struck, lightbulb moments after encountering the sudden blister of a pulse-quickening, blistering ostinato or a mélange of zig-zag strings accompanied by stark drumming. But, it’s that magical chemistry that results from the clever lyrics and bizarre arrangements, that will make you feel like you just can’t help but admire the ingenuity and abandon that Glass brings to the fore.