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New Music Review - Glass Delirium: Diamond Lullabies
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Here's Glass Delirium, another band with an awkward name, but with a terrific sound and possibly...Here's Glass Delirium, another band with an awkward name, but with a terrific sound and possibly the best female lead singer you've never heard of. She's Michelle Huerd, and she's a powerful vocalist, with a range and control which is simply superb.
Huerd has a voice for anything from rock to pop to something possibly even more sultry. She could be a modern torch singer (and you might get that from Untitled Lullaby). What she doesn't do is reach the current modern extremes, high-pitched operatic sirens or growling death vocals. Good for her.
As to the music, on Diamond Lullabies, Glass Delirium traverses the range from melodic hard rock to metal, with tones of prog and gothic rock. However, I'm loathe to use that latter word as it's lost it's meaning over the years. But I'm sure there are those listening to Huerd's voice and the textures of Snowy London or Convalescence Dawn, for example, will hear this. What I hear is simply profound and entertaining melodic hard rock from some very talented players. Not the least of which is guitarist Scott Uhl and keyboardist David Newell, especially when he trades his synth for piano. Take note of Simple Life and Untitled Lullaby, two of the best songs here. The former has hit single written all over it, as does the groovy accessible pop feel of Beautiful Plaything. Production and mix is outstanding; given the CD package, it seems that Glass Delirium put their money into recording. Good choice.
Excepting Consequential Halo, my least favorite song here (but it's growing on me), the strengths of Diamond Lullabies are self-evident: strong musicianship and song composition. My humble opinion: this is a band to watch in the future; I think they're going places (like the same direction of Grammy winners Halestorm, a local favorite). Glass Delirim 's Diamond Lullabies is strongly recommended.
4.5/5
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Review: Glass Delirium-Diamond Lullabies
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Glass Delirium are a progressive alternative rock band that list their influences as being jazz, cla...Glass Delirium are a progressive alternative rock band that list their influences as being jazz, classical, pop, metal and soundtracks. That’s quite the combination! They are lead by vocalist Michelle who is backed up by Scott (Guitar), Aeon (Bass), David( Keys) and Pat (Drums).
Diamond Lullabies opens with one of the quieter tracks on the album. “Tranquility” features some nice piano playing from David and a gentle vocal from Michelle. The track builds as it goes along and ends up being the perfect introduction to track two, “Reality.” The transition between the two tracks is so seamless that you would think it’s all one song. The opening riff of “Reality” is fantastic and it sets the tone for the rest of the song which powers along at a really rocking pace. “Reality” slows things back down at the end, which brings things full circle.
“Snowy London” and “Beautiful Plaything” reveal the different sides to Michelle’s voice. On “Snowy London” she completely dominates the chorus with a powerful vocal. Then on “Beautiful Plaything” she sings a lot softer with seemingly much greater emphasis on her phrasing. Her lower, almost whispered, vocals on the first verse show a side to her that doesn’t really appear elsewhere on the album.
“Over The Ice” features great guitar work from Scott. The frantic riff that plays throughout the verse sets the pace and carries the song. “Funeral of Eighty Days” really shows off Pat’s ability on the drums. The drum fills in this song have so much power and force; they push themselves to the front of the song and demand your attention.
From there the album slows down with the acoustic track, “Untitled Lullaby.” The mellow song shows a different side to the band and is a highlight of the album. It is followed up by a song that combines the bands quieter side with the harder rocking stuff from earlier on the record. The softer, more laidback verses in “Convalescence Dawn” provide a great contrast to the heavy, distortion filled chorus.
“Consequential Halo” gives the album one last shot of all-out rock before it closes with “Simple Life.” “Simple Life” is a fantastic song that sees the group stray into power ballad territory. It gives the whole band chance to shine and is a more than fitting way to end the record.
Diamond Lullabies is a great album. Glass Delirium have somehow managed to combine all of their different influences together to create a sound that they call their own. It’s clear from this record that everyone in Glass Delirium is extremely good at what they do but it has to be said that the clear star of the show is Michelle. Her voice is distinct, versatile but most importantly, a pleasure to listen to. Hopefully there is a lot more to come from Michelle and the band in the future.
5/5 Stars
Key Tracks: Reality, Beautiful Plaything, Untitled Lullaby
James Hinton - MuzikReviews.com Contributor
February 20, 2013
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Glass Delirium: Diamond Lullabies
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Glass Delirium’s new release, Diamond Lullabies, hit the streets in November, and what a stellar sop...Glass Delirium’s new release, Diamond Lullabies, hit the streets in November, and what a stellar sophomore effort it is. The crew’s first album, Thanks to a Monster’s Many Hands, showed us a band with considerable potential. The new release showcases a band fulfilling that potential and coming into its own. The outfit has stayed true to their alternative hard rock roots, producing a well-rounded album. Never over powering to the sonic palate of the listener, the mix is clean, clear, and crisp. Michelle Huerd’s vocals soar on “Over the Ice” and “Consequential Halo” (a track just waiting for an arena audience). Pat Anderson’s (new member and still with Switch Pin) drums give the crew’s music a cohesive power solidifying the sound. The remainders of the band, Scott Uhl (guitar), Aeon Cruz (bass), David Newell (keyboards), are in fine form. The attention to detail on all of the tracks is refreshing. The release is a fantastic piece of work from a group of talented local individuals. I look forward to the next release.
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Glass Delirium - Our Reverb Nation Featured Artist
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Glass Delirium seem to have everything in place for success. They are powerful, poignant, exude sex ...Glass Delirium seem to have everything in place for success. They are powerful, poignant, exude sex appeal at the front of the band with exceptional vocals and it's all backed by outstanding musicianship. There is not much else to consider when a band seeks success. To find that elusive success is another matter. With so many bands for people to listen to these days it takes a lot to get noticed. We acknowledge the prowess of Glass Delirium, they are the kind of band that has thier chops down and are ready to set the world on fire! Tell everyone you know about this band and help them make their way to the top of the mountain!
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-Founder MuzikReviews.com
January 11, 2013
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Glass Delirium - Diamond Lullabies
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Glass Delirium—a Denver progressive alternative rock band—welcomes new members and experimental soun...Glass Delirium—a Denver progressive alternative rock band—welcomes new members and experimental sound with its new album Diamond Lullabies.
The crystalline female vocals glitter with the warmth and strength of the balanced instrumentals. The addition of orchestrated tones of the keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums speak of overcoming struggle and rejection.
Diamond Lullabies starts subtly, guitar and keyboard melodies carrying Michelle Huerd’s vocals to a rising emotion. David Newell’s keyboard and Aeon Cruz’s bass fade in “Tranquility” to be met by energized guitar and Pat Anderson’s skill with drums in “Reality.” Scott Uhl’s impressive guitar solos don’t over power or try to steal the show, but instead rise out of the mixture of feelings to impress and enchant.
Clever word play and a melodic range allow Diamond Lullabies to go into dark depths and rise out again in tranquil light. “Snowy London” shows the more experimental and darker side while “Beautiful Plaything” showcases spirited wording and jazzy undertones. The range, of musical styles shows the bands versatility and makes it hard to place in a specific genre.
“Convalescence Dawn” has raw gripping emotion that speaks of the album’s title Diamond Lullabies. Following suit, the appropriate inclusion of a choir in “Consequential Halo” adds depth to the already layered sounds.
The auditory journey showcases each musician’s strengths while the overall sound is professionally composed and presented. For such a young band, it already has a complex sound. The assemblage of songs shows Glass Delirium’s range and ability to organize a narrative album.
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Glass Delirium's Scott Uhl talks lucky accidents....
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When Scott Uhl first formed Forgotten Serenade about five years ago, everyone hated the name, so it ...When Scott Uhl first formed Forgotten Serenade about five years ago, everyone hated the name, so it was changed to Glass Delirium, after one of the act's earliest songs. Now, following a handful of lineup changes and as many stylistic evolutions, the band has arrived at a style that's informed by classical structure but not trapped by it — like jazz-inflected metal, but more focused on songwriting and less obsessed with technique.
With the relatively recent additions of Switchpin's Pat Anderson on drums and Michelle Huerd of Born in Winter and My Vendetta on vocals, Glass Delirium — which also includes Uhl, bassist Aeon Cruz and keyboardist David Newell — has greatly expanded its dynamism and emotional palette. The group's latest album, Diamond Lullabies, showcases heavy music written by musicians graced with a keen ear for inventive and evocative soundscapes. We recently sat down with them for a candid chat about their music and its evolution.
Westword: What did you try to do with this band when you started, and what led to its change in direction?
Scott Uhl: When we started, we had no idea. We just wrote songs, most of which weren't very good, I don't think. It took just one song to have that kind of darker, jazzy, movie-score type of thing. We thought, "This is cool — let's write more like this." That gave us our focus point.
Michelle Huerd: [The more focused direction] is probably my fault. I think a lot of the music was dynamic and crazy before. I think I'm fairly normal in my style, so I probably normalized it just a little bit. I'm hoping not too much, but just enough to change it a little. I had to grow a lot as a musician, because it's dynamically different from what I'm used to.
SU: I think it's good with how crazy we were and how "normal" you are. If we find a middle ground that makes both of us happy, then it's not excessively crazy and not so normal that it's boring.
How did you get into playing guitar?
SU: I got into guitar by accident. I was sixteen, and one of my best friends said, "Hey, dude, take a guitar class with me so I'm not bored." I had never played another instrument in my life, and I went in there and was hooked after the first week of being in it. I stopped playing video games, stopped making calculator games, and I've been focusing on guitar ever since.
Calculator games?
SU: Remember the TI-83 calculator? Drug Wars or Hick Quest or Mega Man? I used to program those. I wanted to be a computer programmer. I programmed like fifty games, and they're still available online. I was such a dork. That's what I would do all the time.
-Tom Murphy
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Denver Moovers and Shakers 2012
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Glass Delirium, Diamond Lullabies (Self-released). Glass Delirium's Diamond Lullabies is the kin...Glass Delirium, Diamond Lullabies (Self-released). Glass Delirium's Diamond Lullabies is the kind of album that takes a genre of music and pushes it far beyond its usual boundaries. Crisp yet expansive melodies and tastefully creative guitar work help elevate this sonically rich, imaginative metal record. — Murphy
supersonic
