Album
Glasvegas
EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\
Columbia Records (label)
04 April 2011 (released)
02 April 2011
Glasvegas fist came to my attention in 2008 when ‘Daddy’s Gone’ was released. I was instantly hooked to the broad Glaswegian accent, Phil Spector styled production and My Bloody valentine styled guitars. The debut album was one of the highlights of 2008, and is still one of my most played albums of recent times – a joy to listen to from start to finish.
Now after the departure of drummer Caroline McKay, replaced by Swede Jonna Löfgren, and some well publicised substance abuse by lead man James Allan, Glasvegas are back with their second full length album. Having had this for around 3 weeks, I have had the luxury of multiple listens, and EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\ does need some attention to really get under the skin of this release. My initial impressions were one of this is not a patch on the debut, sounding quite ‘samey’ bar one or two highlights, but perseverance paid off and gradually 11 unique tracks unfolded before me.
Right from the opener ‘Pain Pain Never Again’ which is similar in construction to ‘Stabbed’, you get the intensity that Glasvegas seem so good at. Sparse music accompanies James Allan’s (and an un-named woman’s) ramblings, before it cuts into what I believe is Glasvegas’s best track to date, the amazing single (and free download from earlier in the year) ‘The World Is Yours’. This track is wall to wall guitars, energy and a mighty chorus – euphoric doesn’t do this track justice. Allan’s strong Glaswegian lilt means the lyrics are at time indecipherable but the energy this track brings more than compensates.
The pace doesn’t relent on ‘You’, one of two perhaps weaker tracks on the album. The Wall of Sound styled production continues, this time under the watch of Flood, but this track is too repetitive lyrically for me. Next comes ‘Shine Like Stars’ opening with more synths that previously experienced, and a feeling of optimism that again is often lacking from Glasvegas. This track has single written all over it and will hopefully follow ‘the World Is Yours’.
‘Whatever Hurts You Through the Night’ takes a different direction and pace, opening with a M83 (French electronica group) styled keyboard introduction, before the grandiose guitars and Allan’s vocals carry the sound to a deeper place; the crashing keyboards continue to create a very atmospheric sound.
‘Dream Dream Dreaming’ is perhaps one of the most obvious signs of Flood’s involvement with a more commercial sound –maybe Killers meets Ash? It’s still a big, big track. ‘I Feel Wrong’ takes you back to the start of the poignant ‘Flowers and Football Tops’ from their debut album. This sparse track with just slight synths and a tambourine allow Allan’s near spoken lyrics to really dominate the track. It’s again heartfelt, moody and atmospheric.
‘Lots Sometimes’ is a really builder, starting with an acapella Allan before the instruments gradually join in and the pace grows; it’s an epic track as by around 5 minutes everything is thrown into the mix!! It all slows down for the last minute or so before ‘Change’ comes in. ‘Change’ starts with the line ‘Mama I feel so scared’ (with instant Queen similarities!) over a gentle piano – again similar to ‘Stabbed’ but much softer and thoughtful as Allan appears to pour out his heart to his Mum, and then she appears and replies with Motherly advice (although I can’t get a vision of SuBo out of my mind at this point) telling James he can change – it’s not too late.
A poignant end to a stunning second album. It doesn’t quite top their debut per se but at times it meets and even excels their early work.
A must for all collections.
‘Like’ our facebook page and be entered into a draw to win 1000 CDs including rare, signed and promotional copies here!
Now after the departure of drummer Caroline McKay, replaced by Swede Jonna Löfgren, and some well publicised substance abuse by lead man James Allan, Glasvegas are back with their second full length album. Having had this for around 3 weeks, I have had the luxury of multiple listens, and EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\ does need some attention to really get under the skin of this release. My initial impressions were one of this is not a patch on the debut, sounding quite ‘samey’ bar one or two highlights, but perseverance paid off and gradually 11 unique tracks unfolded before me.
Right from the opener ‘Pain Pain Never Again’ which is similar in construction to ‘Stabbed’, you get the intensity that Glasvegas seem so good at. Sparse music accompanies James Allan’s (and an un-named woman’s) ramblings, before it cuts into what I believe is Glasvegas’s best track to date, the amazing single (and free download from earlier in the year) ‘The World Is Yours’. This track is wall to wall guitars, energy and a mighty chorus – euphoric doesn’t do this track justice. Allan’s strong Glaswegian lilt means the lyrics are at time indecipherable but the energy this track brings more than compensates.
The pace doesn’t relent on ‘You’, one of two perhaps weaker tracks on the album. The Wall of Sound styled production continues, this time under the watch of Flood, but this track is too repetitive lyrically for me. Next comes ‘Shine Like Stars’ opening with more synths that previously experienced, and a feeling of optimism that again is often lacking from Glasvegas. This track has single written all over it and will hopefully follow ‘the World Is Yours’.
‘Whatever Hurts You Through the Night’ takes a different direction and pace, opening with a M83 (French electronica group) styled keyboard introduction, before the grandiose guitars and Allan’s vocals carry the sound to a deeper place; the crashing keyboards continue to create a very atmospheric sound.
‘Dream Dream Dreaming’ is perhaps one of the most obvious signs of Flood’s involvement with a more commercial sound –maybe Killers meets Ash? It’s still a big, big track. ‘I Feel Wrong’ takes you back to the start of the poignant ‘Flowers and Football Tops’ from their debut album. This sparse track with just slight synths and a tambourine allow Allan’s near spoken lyrics to really dominate the track. It’s again heartfelt, moody and atmospheric.
‘Lots Sometimes’ is a really builder, starting with an acapella Allan before the instruments gradually join in and the pace grows; it’s an epic track as by around 5 minutes everything is thrown into the mix!! It all slows down for the last minute or so before ‘Change’ comes in. ‘Change’ starts with the line ‘Mama I feel so scared’ (with instant Queen similarities!) over a gentle piano – again similar to ‘Stabbed’ but much softer and thoughtful as Allan appears to pour out his heart to his Mum, and then she appears and replies with Motherly advice (although I can’t get a vision of SuBo out of my mind at this point) telling James he can change – it’s not too late.
A poignant end to a stunning second album. It doesn’t quite top their debut per se but at times it meets and even excels their early work.
A must for all collections.
‘Like’ our facebook page and be entered into a draw to win 1000 CDs including rare, signed and promotional copies here!
