Title: Escapism
Artist: The Glam
Genre: Indie / Glam Rock / Electronic
Release Date: 3rd April 2009
Label: Pias Recordings
Album Review
THE GLAM founded around 2007. They gained massive public exposure in April 2008 when their song was the soundtrack for the advertisement of a big car company, simultaneously lifted with the first single ‘All the Universe’. ‘Escapism’ is their debut album coming out now beginning of April.
The purpose of ‘Introducing the Glam’ is self-explaining. It does what it says starting out with a conglomerate of sample until wide guitars stretch out to the beginning of a humming bass line leading into the opulent drumming. If you still aren’t impressed you’ll be after Frederic has tuned in for the vocals. My jaw dropped… honestly. He’s building up a rousing emotional wall with it. The song’s fluently fading into ‘Well-lighted Places’, caressing the ears right away with nailing itself into your ears as well. Much more crumbly sounds his voice as he’s starting to sing. When the song’s steering towards the rocking chorus the explosion happens and you’ll get overcome by the plethora of emotions he’s releasing upon you all at once. “Hey you, do you believe in spectres?” No matter if you do that or not you just have to like this song that has a groove you can’t avoid. Like timpani’s the drums are sounding initially accompanied by rhythmic clapping that is infecting. A little toying with electronic effects added and then the real show can start with electrifying guitars, glitchy electronics and vibrant, a little androgynous-sounding vocals.
THE CURE’s ‘Lullaby’ was the force behind parts of the arrangement on ‘Walking Ghost’ encompassed by rainy soundscapes whose continuous impact exacts its toll on the listener’s temper at last…Tears! And showers running over the body; even more as Frederic’s grief-stricken utterly sad vocals fade in once again reaching the pinnacle of intensity in the chorus. Another pinnacle, while we’re at it, is reached regarding the pitch of his voice in ‘This Week at War’ and first I wasn’t sure whether to find that disturbing or impressing. Eventually the latter prevailed. Spiralling vocals to such heights without the voice breaking away needs to be acknowledged. Aside from that the song itself is an adrenaline rising rock outlet with vocals riding on the “Widescreen Electric Guitar” sound as it’s called by the band. An untitled track closes ‘Escapism’. Reduced with acoustics drenched in delay and restrained chant eventually fading out with a storm brewing off in the distance!
Some say that these vocals are much too dramatic and over the top overall. Obviously I don’t and I’m usually quite spiky with this. They’re just a class of their own for me! The songs are opulently arranged; that impression might come in large parts from the “Widescreen Electric Guitars” however not plethoric. I suggest everybody forms their own opinion by getting some samples from MySpace and whatnot and best buy the record when it’s out next Friday ;-)
Tracklist
01. Introducing the Glam - 2:04
02. Well-lighted Places - 4:16
03. All the Universe - 4:16
04. Join the Spectres - 3:36
05. Walking Ghost - 5:04
06. This Week at War - 4:17
07. Moonlight Miles - 3:33
08. Rome is calling - 3:04
09. White Noise - 3:46
10. Slamming Splendour - 5:28
11. Untitled / Outro - 1:51
Line-up
Frederic - Vocals, Guitar
Phil - Bass
Julien - Drums
Website
http://www.myspace.com/theglamrock
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 8.5 / 10
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