Glasvegas - Glasvegas

Artist: Glasvegas
Album: Glasvegas
Genre: Garage Rock
Rating: 3 of 5


This Scottish band has managed to make quite a stir with their self-titled debut. The band name makes me wonder if the Killers have been an influence or if they see themselves as the median between Glasgow and Las Vegas. I have noted that they seem to send out a mixed message.

The music consists of slow driving tunes drenched in a high echo and phased guitar lead. It feels like something that was made for larger venues although it might be a little early for Glasvegas' presence to fill that space. The intro is a good example of the music although any of the songs would do. They've also put an amazing amount of echo on the vocals. The combination of all this seems to point toward some easy-going rock or at least something without sharp edges.

Next comes the actual lyrics. These songs are filled with rough times and unfortunate events. Take "Daddy's Gone" for example; this is a song about an absent father and a son growing up in harsh times. "Stabbed" is another good example, it is a story about gang revenge. The story is spoken over Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata which enhances the dramatization. In all I find that the messages coming through should come from something much rawer.

In the end, the music is pretty good and the stories become dreamlike. I don't believe the severity is lessened by the music but I do believe it pulls the shade over some dark corners. Perhaps this makes the album easier to swallow.