Abraham Cloud- Freshly Broken Glass review

Abraham Cloud

Freshly Broken Glass

Abraham Cloud is a musician with a new album. That album, Freshly Broken Glass, actually consists of material recorded years ago. Think of the album as a time capsule just unearthed. Listening to the album today in its raw and pure nature makes it sound just like that. The album opens with the simple indie rocker “Nikki, I've Been There Too.” The song sets the tone and overall feel for the album, with its jangly guitar work. Most of the album does sound like it was made in the 1980s, given the use of synthesizers and drum machine. Although the use of electronics in music has always been criticized, the synthesizers and drum machine are used effectively on this album. While these are supposed to be demos, I think they are best that way.  Take “Almost All That I Have” for example: the reverb and production make it more melodic. “Killing Me With Your Kindness” is catchy while “Break Out” sounds like a lost Joy Division track.

            Just from listening to this album, Cloud can certainly write ballads. The piano driven “Ma, Go Out In The Rain” is almost a mini-epic, with Cloud’s Iggy Pop-like vocals and the droning synthesizers might remind someone of Roxy Music’s Avalon album. The title track is also worth listening to, with its Beatle-esque guitar work. Cloud also has a few experiment tracks on here. The bizarre “Floor of the Liquor Store” shows Cloud has a sense of humor as he suggests the listener should make love on the aforementioned floor and utters possible references to the Beatles’ Help movie. The electric and raw sounds of “Jenny Broke Down” are reminiscent of the Velvet Underground a bit.

            If you grew up listening to post punk and new age music in 1980s or even have a taste for retro, you might get a kick out of Freshly Broken Glass. 

Lost Gravity- S/T debut album review

Lost Gravity

Lost Gravity

Coming from London, Lost Gravity are a band that has a surprisingly American sound. The hard rock/heavy metal band have been together since 2007, self-releasing three EPs from 2008 to 2012. Their self-titled debut album is an interesting release. While the band has been a three-piece group since 2011, the album was recorded with only two people playing: guitarist/bassist/singer Breno Val and drummer Giuliano Kolling. For a sound so powerful and heavy, it’s amazing that this is coming from just two musicians.

            The album opens with the guitar heavy “What Comes Around Goes Around.” From the first track alone, you know what you’re in for: this is going to be a heavy album. In terms of comparing the group to another, the band sound like a later day Metallica with some grunge and alternative influences thrown in. Val’s vocals are similar to those of James Hetfield throughout the album, although Val’s vocals are somewhat higher and smoother. An example of this can be found in the hard-hitting “Changes,” which has some catchy hooks while still maintaining a hard rock sound. “Back Where You Belong” is another heavy tune, with a Sabbath/Alice In Chains guitar riff leading the track throughout.

            The band slows things down with “Alone.” With a track this laid back, Val’s vocals shine on here to great effect. The song even utilizes in a string section, which gives the track a dramatic feel. Other highlights from the album include the prog-rock (Queensryche comes to mind) sounding “Anywhere But Home,” the crunchy “All the Same,” and the heavy duty sounds of “Venom in a Vial” (which features some thunderous drumming from Kolling).

            Overall, Lost Gravity’s debut album is worth a listen from any fan of rock music. Now with an album and few EPs under their belts, Lost Gravity have a lot to offer to the world of hard rock and heavy metal.  

Lost Gravity debut album comes out on 13th of October on Priston Records
For more details visit: www.lostgravity.co.uk