GLASS TIGER – 31 (2018)

Not too many bands can say that they’ve been together for more than 31 years, but the boys from Ontario GLASS TIGER can speak to that unique perspective. In true celebration style, this iconic ’80s act returned to the studio while continuing to honor their legacy, by giving fans a 21st century updating of their hits songs plus 2 new ones in their new CD titled “31”.

Glass Tiger is comprised of talented vocalist Alan Frew, Sam Reid (keyboards), Al Connelly (guitars), Wayne Parker (bass) and later on, Chris McNeill (drums). They captured the audiences with their mid ’80s Canadian pristine rock&pop / liteAOR style.
On “31”, the band have re-imaged the songs to a more modern taste and feel.

With the lead track, Alan Frew’s crisp, clear vocals start us off on Glass Tiger biggest hit ‘Someday’ with a different approach to the original, including acoustic guitars and a group of female vocals in the background. Later on in the album, there’s another version of “Someday” featuring female singer Veronic DiCaire performing some verses in French, a nice, added touch.
Next we have a reworked version of ‘Animal Heart’ with organic instrumentation including Hammond-like organ. The original version of this song always reminded me of Def Leppard, and it’s cool to hear it now in its new shape.

Throughout the album, the tempo is well varied from song to song, to the slow paced, slide guitar version of ‘I Will Be There’ to the staple Glass Tiger representative sound in ‘My Town’ and ‘I’m Still Searching’, to the ballad ‘Rescued by Arms’, while the two new tracks ‘Wae yer Family’ and ‘Fire it Up’ show some legs in their pace to get us through the compilation.
Guest stars abound in the forms of Alan Doyle (Great Big Sea), Julian Lennon, the aforementioned Véronic DiCaire (Franco-Ontarian singer), Susan Aglukark (Juno winning Inuk musician) and David R. Maracle (multi-instrumental Mohawk artist).

The general feel of the album is a stripped away environment with an acoustic vibe, organic instrumentation in the classic rock way but still retaining Glass Tiger’s rock&pop sensibility. Think Nelson’s acoustic side, a bit of Rick Springfield, etc.
Frew’s earthy vocals sound fantastic, and the interplay between the 4 band members is seamless and effortless as they bring a different aesthetics to the forefront of this compilation.

If you’re 35 and above who was into the Canadian rock scene back in the mid-Eighties, this new Glass Tiger album will give you a heavy dose of nostalgic, sentimental feels with a re-imaging of some of their greatest hits.
Highly Recommended

01 – Someday
02 – Animal Heart
03 – Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)
04 – I Will Be There
05 – My Town
06 – Diamond Sun
07 – Rescued (By The Arms Of Love)
08 – My Song (Feat. Alan Doyle)
09 – I’m Still Searching
10 – Thin Red Line (Feat. Julian Lennon)
11 – Fire It Up *
12 – Wae Yer Family (Feat. Johnny Reid) *
13 – Healing Hands
14 – Someday (Feat. Véronic DiCaire)
15 – Diamond Sun (Feat. Susan Aglukark, D. Maracle)

* new songs 2018

Alan Frew – Vocals
Alan Connelly – Guitars
Wayne Parker – Bass
Sam Reid – Keyboards
Chris McNeill – Drums

BUY IT !
www.amazon.ca/31-Glass-Tiger/dp/B078YPGVZH
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