Artist: Glasvegas
Title: Later... When The TV Turns To Static
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 6th September 2013
Label: BMG (Rough Trade)
Album Review
A third album is seen by so many people as a somewhat critical point in a band's career. Honestly, I never shared the opinion other than acknowledging that it is certainly a leap towards maturity. Something that leads onward into the next chapter. Somehow it falls that is exactly what's being put on display with 'Later...When The TV Turns To Static'. The drama in their music now is more evident than ever and while usually this is considered a bad thing by me, or promises a bad thing, it fits for GLASVEGAS. It would've been more awkward had they abandoned it completely. The album’s title track was set on top of the album's tracklist, starting it in majestic grace with a mumbling bass line crawling forwards underneath a sky shining in various shades of colours whose atmospheric vibrations embrace the listener completely. All this never taking away the feeling that there's a sincere sentiment of departure within. 'Youngblood' brings out the rock elements of the band's sound a little more which isn't a thing you should get used to meet on the record too regularly.
The piano-driven 'Choices' starts a train of thoughts that will ultimately lead to a definite decision, even though James claims in the lyrics “I still have choices”. Following this up the band touches on a very down-to earth and personal manner when addressing a pressing social injustice, when one parent is only allowed to see their child for a very limited time on a weekly basis- All this presented in a very honest fashion by James. The 'Secret Truth' is veiled in clouds, rain and regrets and only surfaces for a brief moment when the static noise is getting too loud too bear it any longer. A poignant, spot-on delivery of the fact that time doesn't and can't heal everything. It's all about fame on the next one 'Magazine', or at least about the aspirations to become famous which has become a mass phenomenon these days. I believe there's a fundamental misconception planted in the heads of people their life would actually get better. Coming back to the music for a bit, the song is actually a candidate for live favourite having that memorable little riff.
'If' comes along with a straight marching rhythm that will have you hooked in no time, while the closing epic 'Finished Sympathy' is kind of classical GLASVEGAS material that builds and builds until there's that special atmospheric explosion. Following moments of silence, you can get your ears on a pretty weird hidden track. That as a main melody on a regular album tracks, sure as hell would raise some eyebrows. I would love to hear them doing, though. What can I say that hasn't been set before already. I didn't expect a complete reinvention and certainly didn't get one, but everything has audibly matured and is clear as crystal. Well done!
Tracklist
01. Later... When The Tv Turns To Statio
02. Youngblood
03. Choices
04. All I Want Is My Baby
05. Secret Truth
06. I'd Rather Be Dead (Than Be With You)
07. Magazine
08. If
09. Neon Bedroom
10. Finished Sympathy
Line-up
James Allan
Rab Allan
Paul Donoghue
Jonna Löfgren
Website
http://www.glasvegas.net/ / http://www.facebook.com/glasvegas
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 8.5 / 10
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