Search - Gentle Giant :: In a Glass House: 35th Anniversary Edition (Aniv)

One of the best by Gentle Giant

baligathi | 10/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to admit, I've been listening to this CD constantly for the past few weeks. It's just that awesome. I'm a newbie to the whole prog rock thing, but man, this CD rocks!



My favorite tracks:

The Runaway

Experience

In a Glass House"

Peak Giant

R. Langdon | Four Oaks, NC USA | 01/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This work contains all the best elements of Gentle Giant music as well as representing the band at a very peak period. I cannot imagine what the record company was thinking when this title originally came out in 1973. Not releasing this album in the US was a huge mistake and a great disservice to music fans.



At any rate, we can be thankful it is now available and in a nicely remastered form. This album should be a welcome addition to any Progressive Rock fan's collection, especially those who already find themselves appreciating Gentle Giant's many other excellent offerings.



In a Glass House starts off strong and does not let up until the last sound of crashing glass at the end of track 6. There is a theme running through the compositions which is very nicely summarized in the closing track.



I really like the entire Gentle Giant catalogue; however, with each listen, I find myself thinking that In a Glass House has to be at the very top of their musical accomplishments and that is saying something when you consider the quality of their other efforts.



Highly recommended.



- Scriptor"

Gentle Giant's 5th release is truly amazing.

Kirk P. Tuminaro | Las Vegas, NV | 10/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everything about this semi-conceptual album from 1973 is as close to perfect as you're going to find if you're a fan of progressive rock or art rock. Not all of Gentle Giant's albums were conceptual in nature, but this one is, and everything from the original packaging to the lyrics and arrangements tells you without a doubt that you will be taking a close look at the darker side of the human psyche with this music.



The opening salvo of "The Runaway" sounds of breaking glass and is a reference to the old saying that people in Glass Houses should not throw stones. The song itself is a rather heavy tune by Gentle Giant standards, but has some well-placed quieter moments which utilize the band's trademark recorders and flutes. The next track, "An Inmate's Lullaby" is a montage of the thoughts which might run through the mind of someone who has been institutionalized due to a major psychotic break, and you can almost imagine someone's tortured inner child being put to music.



"Way of Life" is a song about introspection and finding answers to one's inner demons, and has a quick tempo but isn't quite as heavy as the opening track. It's more jazzy sounding, and probably the most upbeat song of an otherwise dark album. "Experience" shows off the talent that Gentle Giant had for medieval-sounding arrangements, and is a song about how difficult experiences in one's early life can contribute to further problems as one ages and tries to succeed in the world. The transitions from a 3/4 shuffle to a 4/4 angular rock feel are just flawless, and the arrangements here are just some of the finest the band ever developed.



There is a major shift in mood to the next track, the charming and eloquent "A Reunion". Those of you who are familiar with more recent rock material from the band Pearl Jam should give a listen to the track "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" to get an inkling of what this track is about. While stylistically they are not quite the same, I would not be at all surprised to learn that this Giant tune was the inspiration for the Pearl Jam one, as they both are in reference to a reunion of two people (who perhaps were very much in love with each other so long ago) after a period of many decades. The style of "A Reunion" is very much like a turn-of-the-century (20th, that is) parlor song or waltz, with excellent string arrangements and Phil Shulman's mellow vocals.



The album concludes with the title track, "In a Glass House". The track is over eight minutes long and is a perfect summation of all which came before. Throughout there are masterful time signature transitions as well as breaks between acoustic and electric arrangements, with more of that medieval feel thrown in occasionally for good measure. All of this is presented without any confusion other than the mental torment - and hopeful escape therefrom - which is being conveyed by the feel of the piece. As the track fades to silence, Gentle Giant come back with a quick montage of about 1-2 seconds from each track, followed by one more hit of shattering glass which echoes away to final silence. Perhaps there is no escape from the glass house?



Anyone who is not familiar with the amazing Gentle Giant needs to make this among the first of the band's catalogue that they sample. I guarantee that if you give this chance you will not be disappointed. And, to mark the band's 35's anniversary, the newest reissue of this album includes bonus live material of "The Runaway/Experience" and "In a Glass House". The quality of these recordings is as good as anything live which was released in the early 70's (think Yessongs or ELP's "Welcome Back..." triple album masterpiece). Derek's vocals are very sharp and clear, and the band was in excellent form for these performances."