It is always pleasant to have a break from the riffs and solos to listen to something inventive and gentle. Tucson Arizona's Drew Johnson's Shining Glass Project provides exactly that with the aid of five musicians that include someone well known to us.
Roger Joseph Manning Jr is part of Shining Glass, adding Piano and Keyboards across the mini album. An album that offers outstanding arrangements that are hypnotic and melodic, but also unusual. There is a largely acoustic feel across all six pieces.
At times, there are Psych and World Music slants, particularly with some wonderful Old playing from Gal Hever, particularly on Three Died with its obvious Middle East bent. Manning Jr adds to the feeling with some unexpected keyboard sounds.
The Pop isn't necessarily clear across the album, but it is clearly there on Garden Of Knives, with a more expected keys led arrangement and Drew Johnson's voice would lend itself to Power Pop if it were not for the depth and intensity of the arrangements.
The standout is possibly Two Birds, the most Pop Rock of the six tracks, certainly the most straight ahead and as with a lot of the album there is a gentle, almost pastoral, Psych Pop vibe. Yet Drawing Fires is possibly the most Psych, almost Prog Folk at times, superbly soothing and yet gripping.
Don't expect Riffs, but do expect an extraordinary soundscape, moody and melancholic, almost mantra like in parts. Yellow And Purple is a splendid listen, best heard in one go than selecting tracks. Proof that music is not just about noise or choruses, but a general feel and touch.
You can listen to and buy the album here.
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