22 Dec 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Glass Owls - Dead Love EP review

16 Jul 2010 // A review by Trevor Faville

This six song debut CD represents an important stage in the three-year existence of the Glass Owls, as a first chance to commit to record some songs that have been well tried and tested in this Howick-based groups extensive gigging history.

The opening song 'Griffin Boy' wears is influences too clearly on its sleeve with heavy nods towards Julian Casablanca’s vocal style and the instrumentation and feel of Franz Ferdinand. This, frankly, doesn’t bode well, but from here things improve and the Owls reveal more of their own style which includes jaunty guitar strut and a clever ability to jump dynamics, feel and tempo to great effect. 'No Avail' and 'Nothing Personal' benefit strongly from this approach, and as a result have charm and appeal.

High points are the last two songs 'Sarah' and 'Summer Girl' where the group begin to transcend their influences rather than mimic them, What comes across in these two songs are a sense of groove, passion, and even fun. Clearly this would be a band to experience live.

The production has a few hiccups, with an overpowering guitar sound on 'Summer Girl', and a muddy drum sound, which does detract a little from an energetic percussive performance, especially in the louder moments.

This is a group ready to make its move - 'Dead Love' outlines a sound that is clearly defined and nearly refined.

 

About Glass Owls

For Glass Owls, a reputation as a great live act without a record is finally set to change on June 21st with the release of their debut EP, “Dead Love”. Cameron Allan (Drums), Christopher Pearce (Bass), Anthony Metcalf (Lyrics and Guitar) and Tomas Nelson (Lyrics and Vocals) will be thrilled with what they have accomplished. It’s been a long wait but the six songs on the record are sure to satisfy their fans and all lovers of intelligent, hook laden kiwi pop.

Produced by up and coming whiz kid Dave Parker, “Dead Love” is a collection of their very best songs and suggests a band that is wise beyond their years. The songs are provided with much more depth than the already stellar versions which have delighted audiences. “Griffin Boy” is a dirty guttural track in the vein of classic garage rock, “I’ll Be Waiting”, a soaring anthem with beatific harmonies. “No Avail”, the debut single, is a blistering ode to unrequited love, “Nothing Personal (Just You)” contains some formidable guitar work from Metcalf and an impassioned vocal from Nelson. “Sarah” is their most well known song and sounds better than ever here with one of the great clarinet induced changes in music well preserved and, finally, “Summer Girl” is a romantic love letter flipped on its head with some timely feedback. These six songs all deserve a place in the New Zealand music canon and may just be there in a few years, fighting for space with “Not Given Lightly” and “Give it a Whirl”.

It could be argued that Glass Owls are one of the hardest working bands in the country. Formed in Howick, Auckland in 2007 as “Three Kings” (later “The Collection” before landing on their current name), they have been tirelessly touring ever since at venues as diverse as Cassette 9, Juice Bar, The Kings Arms, Rising Sun, The Dog’s Bollix, New Zealand Fashion Week 2009, Barnstock and The Wine Cellar. They have also appeared on 95bFM’s Fancy New Band Show and Balcony TV. In 2009, they recorded an extremely popular Red Bull Live Studio Session and their song “Sarah” was featured on Remix Magazine’s “Indie Remix CD”. It is their catchy tunes and energetic live shows which have allowed them to carve a name for themselves in the extremely competitive Auckland music scene. The lineup has remained unchanged in all positions with the exception of their drummer. Fans need not fear however as Allan appears to be in it for the long haul.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Glass Owls

Releases

Out From The Darkness
Year: 2014
Type: Album
Dead Love
Year: 2010
Type: EP

Other Reviews By Trevor Faville

Tom Irvine Band - Album Review: Under The Wharf
19 Nov 2024 // by Trevor Faville
Tom Irvine has a very healthy CV, working guitar duties with the likes of Hopetoun Brown, The Mercenaries and the Fleetwoods. For this album, his first, he has assembled a tight and cohesive ensemble with a rhythm section of Neill McCulloch (drums), Matt Shanks (bass).
Read More...
Pining Radiata - EP Review: Skin
27 Sep 2024 // by Trevor Faville
These days it's not unusual to see, and indeed expect, a high level of songwriting craft and instrumental skill from younger or less experienced bands. Debut recordings now tend to be polished and well-crafted affairs.
Read More...
Luna Shadows - Album Review: bathwater
19 Jun 2024 // by Trevor Faville
Luna Shadows' new album bathwater arrives on the back of considerable momentum from their previous work. Currently based in Los Angeles, since releasing the single Hallelujah California in 2016, Luna Shadows has garnered considerable attention, some serious press and impressive listening numbers.
Read More...
Elmo Strauss - Album Review: In My Sleep
08 Dec 2023 // by Trevor Faville
Elmo Strauss began writing, recording and producing music in the format he describes as a ‘One Man Band’ since 2021, with the release of debut album Light and Dark. In My Sleep is his latest collection and is a logical follow on from the first album, in terms of the sound and the process.
Read More...
The Fuzzies - Album Review: Cupid
15 Nov 2023 // by Trevor Faville
The Fuzzies are a three-piece self-described ‘Alternative pop trio’ from Auckland. Collectively Niki Maera (Mary), Kelly Michael (Tabula Rasa, Enshrine) and Andrew Maitai (Powertool Records, Joed Out) bring the momentum of considerable experience into the music on this album.
Read More...
Claudia Robin Gunn - Album Review: Firefly
02 Oct 2023 // by Trevor Faville
Working in music education gives some insight into what challenging area that Children’s Music can be. The first essential consideration is simply coming to terms with the makeup of the audience, and knowing that children, whanau, and teachers are combined into particularly unique ‘demographic’.
Read More...
Hummucide - Album Review: Tides
18 Aug 2023 // by Trevor Faville
Hummucide are a well established group of musicians originally based in Wellington (although now working round the world) “Heavy Jazz” is the way they describe their sound, and that's an accurate phrase- and a rather nifty one, too. Tides is the group's first full length album release and it's the result of an extensive and extended process of crafting and refining.
Read More...
Tone6 - Single Review: Close Your Eyes
05 Jul 2023 // by Trevor Faville
Tone6 are a vocal group from Auckland, consisting of Kirita Leavasa , Selevasio Tu'ima, Peachez Vetenibua, Seletute Tu'ima, Viliami Tupa'i and Shaelyn Togafiti , who began working together when attending Saintzup Performing Arts School. The collective experience and ability of these singers belies their youth, and while Close Your Eyes is just their second release, it's a powerful and assured musical statement.
Read More...
View All Articles By Trevor Faville

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem