Glass Towers - Halcyon Days
Byron Bay-come-Sydney-siders Glass Towers have just released there long awaited debut album since first coming to our attention in 2010. Halcyon Days is an album harking back to an earlier time as it reflects on the days of youth. Front man Ben Hannam describes famous writer Jack Kerouac as being a prolific influence on his writing and the album title itself – “Kerouac was my inspiration, his halcyon days… my halcyon days.”
The album begins strongly with ‘In This City’, a track made up of interplaying guitar riffs and a rapid underlying drum beat, clearly taking a note from bands such as UK indie-electro rockers Two Door Cinema Club. It’s not until track three that a sense of familiarity is reached, with ‘Jumanji’ already receiving high rotation on the airwaves since its release as a single late last year. The title of the song could not sum it up more perfectly, as it prepares anyone’s expectations as to what is about to heard. With a jungle rhythm, safari-esque percussion and breezy tropical guitar chords, it definitely makes for a stand out track.
Highlights continue on from there with tracks ‘Gloom’ and ‘Halcyon’ being equal in strength, and lyrically wise, as they continue with their theme of reflecting on days gone by – “We name the streets our halcyon cause they’re gonna be here when we’re gone.”
The latter half of the album explores different sounds and genres as they diverge from their indie pop roots. Track eight ‘Lust for Life’ takes a harder turn, venturing into a more of rock based style which is refreshing, whilst ‘You’re Better’ is a slow, building track. Overall Halcyon Days is a strong album that has confirmed for the band that they are on the verge of even bigger things.
www.facebook.com/glasstowers
- James Sherley
The album begins strongly with ‘In This City’, a track made up of interplaying guitar riffs and a rapid underlying drum beat, clearly taking a note from bands such as UK indie-electro rockers Two Door Cinema Club. It’s not until track three that a sense of familiarity is reached, with ‘Jumanji’ already receiving high rotation on the airwaves since its release as a single late last year. The title of the song could not sum it up more perfectly, as it prepares anyone’s expectations as to what is about to heard. With a jungle rhythm, safari-esque percussion and breezy tropical guitar chords, it definitely makes for a stand out track.
Highlights continue on from there with tracks ‘Gloom’ and ‘Halcyon’ being equal in strength, and lyrically wise, as they continue with their theme of reflecting on days gone by – “We name the streets our halcyon cause they’re gonna be here when we’re gone.”
The latter half of the album explores different sounds and genres as they diverge from their indie pop roots. Track eight ‘Lust for Life’ takes a harder turn, venturing into a more of rock based style which is refreshing, whilst ‘You’re Better’ is a slow, building track. Overall Halcyon Days is a strong album that has confirmed for the band that they are on the verge of even bigger things.
www.facebook.com/glasstowers
- James Sherley
