Gregory Robson
03/24/10, 05:51 AM
Glass Rock - Tall Firs Meet Soft Location
Record Label: Ecstatic Peace
Release Date: Feb., 22, 2010
Who?
Glass Rock is the union of Brooklyn band Tall Firs and Detroit's Soft Location. The latter of which is fronted by Kathy Leisen, who lends her vocals to this project. To date the group has played at ATP's 10 year anniversary celebration and has opened up for Sonic Youth and Stephen Malkmus in Europe. Not exactly your brother's garage band, eh? Tall Firs Meets Soft Location is their debut.
How is it?
Smashing. If this were released two decades ago, chances are this band would be playing stadiums. The fact that this was recorded in a few weeks and sounds this effortless is proof positive of this band's inherent magnetism. Quite honestly this may be one of the best discs nobody is listening to this year. Leisen has a languorous croon not unlike Steve Nicks or Chan Marshall, and that jumping off point serves as good segue in describing this band's version of pristine folk-inspired rock. Bassist Matt Kantor has a deft cadence in his bass movements that do well to anchor Leisen's controlled vocals. Ryan Sawyer's drumming is sensual and hypnotic, while guitarists Dave Miles and Aaron Mullan paint a canvas of confidence, professionalism and earthy sentimentality.
Everything about this effort is smooth, refined and perfectly harnessed. Never once does the band do too much or too little. At its core these are panged, deeply felt lounge ballads that are constructed in a warm, engaging and highly effective manner. Each of the ten songs is sleek, seductive and damn near perfect. That is to say, there's little reason to dismiss or ignore the album. It's simple, rich and borderline iconic.
1. Glass Rock
2. Ghost of a Dream
3. Possession
4. Blue Spider
5. Beach and Swimming Pool
6. Golddigger
7. Lion Dance
8. U R Not Lonely
9. Open Air
10. Take it Back
Kathy Leisen: vocals
Matt Kantor: bass
Ryan Sawyer: drums
Dave Miles: guitars
Aaron Mullan: guitars
Fleetwood Mac, Cat Power, Van Morrison, Yukon Blonde
Website (http://glassrocklife.com)
Record Label: Ecstatic Peace
Release Date: Feb., 22, 2010
Who?
Glass Rock is the union of Brooklyn band Tall Firs and Detroit's Soft Location. The latter of which is fronted by Kathy Leisen, who lends her vocals to this project. To date the group has played at ATP's 10 year anniversary celebration and has opened up for Sonic Youth and Stephen Malkmus in Europe. Not exactly your brother's garage band, eh? Tall Firs Meets Soft Location is their debut.
How is it?
Smashing. If this were released two decades ago, chances are this band would be playing stadiums. The fact that this was recorded in a few weeks and sounds this effortless is proof positive of this band's inherent magnetism. Quite honestly this may be one of the best discs nobody is listening to this year. Leisen has a languorous croon not unlike Steve Nicks or Chan Marshall, and that jumping off point serves as good segue in describing this band's version of pristine folk-inspired rock. Bassist Matt Kantor has a deft cadence in his bass movements that do well to anchor Leisen's controlled vocals. Ryan Sawyer's drumming is sensual and hypnotic, while guitarists Dave Miles and Aaron Mullan paint a canvas of confidence, professionalism and earthy sentimentality.
Everything about this effort is smooth, refined and perfectly harnessed. Never once does the band do too much or too little. At its core these are panged, deeply felt lounge ballads that are constructed in a warm, engaging and highly effective manner. Each of the ten songs is sleek, seductive and damn near perfect. That is to say, there's little reason to dismiss or ignore the album. It's simple, rich and borderline iconic.
1. Glass Rock
2. Ghost of a Dream
3. Possession
4. Blue Spider
5. Beach and Swimming Pool
6. Golddigger
7. Lion Dance
8. U R Not Lonely
9. Open Air
10. Take it Back
Kathy Leisen: vocals
Matt Kantor: bass
Ryan Sawyer: drums
Dave Miles: guitars
Aaron Mullan: guitars
Fleetwood Mac, Cat Power, Van Morrison, Yukon Blonde
Website (http://glassrocklife.com)