Drafting on the momentum of their critically acclaimed debut release A Burn Or A Shiver, New York's Edison Glass returns with their anticipated follow-up Time Is Fiction.
For Fans of Mute Math, Mae, Minus The Bear
Click here to add a video. Click to add lyrics if not listed.
If Time is Fiction, what else is?| Posted January 19, 2009
After an impressive debut album, A Burn and a Shiver, the alternative indie rock quartet named after and Thomas Alva Edison and composer Philip Glass is out to avoid putting clichés in their music. And avoid clichés out they do as nothing on Edison Glass’ sophomore album, Time is Fiction, is typical of any rock group.
While discussing the style of music on their second album lead singer Josh Silverberg said that “instead of trying to toward a certain style, we’re writing happens and letting that be the style”. The first three songs definitely lean toward that style. In the ten minutes listeners are exposed to a rough frenzy of reckless indie rock (“let go”), fast paced incoherent vocals and tunes (“Cold condition”), and strange guitar riffs and pop rock music (“without a sound”). Sadly (or not so sadly to those who prefer disjointed indie rock music) many of the bands tune are disorganized such as the unflowing “The jig is up” which has Silverberg screaming in places, and the light guitar driven “chances”. There isn’t too much on Time is Fiction that is radio friendly, in fact if you are going to take in Edison Glass’ music it will take a significant investment.
Those who stuck it out will find plenty of solid alternative tracks to enjoy. While “all our memories” is disjointed the Myriad-like-alternative-sound has a good indentifying chorus and although “time is fiction” starts out with the simple disjointed sound which engulfs a good portion of the album the song progresses and becomes a complex highlight with terrific music. The guitar led ballad “Jean Val Jean”, while not absolutely jaw-dropping, is impressive as it has the highest amount of emotion on the CD. Silverberg high vocals mix excellently with Josh Morin vocals on the more traditional rock tune “Children in the streets” and “see me through” excels with its originally placed background vocals, a consistent beat, and impressive guitar riffs.
The music isn’t the only thing avoiding clichés as their songs certainly don’t portray ordinary song writing. While it’s good to stick with originality it’s not so smart to boil down the spiritual references to Cold Condition’s ‘We need warmth to come/In our cold condition/We need you to visit us’. Fortunately amid the vague references to God are calls to Him on the title track (‘I can hear it/You told me I can be a plug/All I have to do is believe/And I all I need to do is breathe’), “the jig is up” which puts trust in Christ, and “end of you” which contemplates God’s beauty and glory. Strong songwriting shows up in the form of “Jean Val Jean” about the prisoner in Les Miserables and his choice ‘between grace and pride’. The convicting “children in the streets” raises attention to those in poverty.
Among the well crafted music, well written lyrics, is well, a flawed album. Getting the most out of Time is Fiction will definitely require a few spins and probably a few skipped tracks, but in the end Edison Glass’ group of spiritually vague, yet relevant songs with innovated alternative indie music alongside is a solid sophomore effort.
If there's one word to describe the songs and the vocalists it's variety. As I keep spinning through this album (which believe me, is happening a lot), I hear at least 3 or 4 different vocal styles. There's two Josh's that sing in this band and I don't know which is which. All I know is one has a deeper sound and the other has a higher voice that remind me of Cedric from The Mars Volta or Gavin from Dredg, as in 'Cold Condition'. In the first song, 'Let Go', both of them combine to create a great contrast in styles as they are backed periodically by shouts. This happens often and it works very well to keep from losing the listeners attention. Some bands are plagued by a vocalist who has no variety in his voice to make songs sound unique from each other. So why not have two that [i]have[/i] variety?
The music is very upbeat but not immediately accessible. It took some time to grow on me since it's not all poppy choruses as much as a work of art that needs many listens to fully grasp all the instruments and harmonies. Those include many string arrangements and horns for good measure. For that reason you can't just listen to it once or twice and judge it. 'Chances' is one of the few tracks that is slower and has a nice touch of trumpets to change things up from the typical ballad and sets a melancholic mood. The drums are another thing that have a strong presence on this album. It's not like the drummer is an animal, but the production is great to help drive the songs and he seems to have a great chemistry with the band. Everything just builds up to a nice climax in the songs and I can't help but get an epic vibe out of a few as in 'All Our Memories' and 'See Me Through'. The latter of which has an awesome climax where the vocals build up before they soar with the guitars and backing vocals kick in. And speaking of epic, the closer title track is a doozy. There was no better way to close out this album. If the tracklisting was any different I'd have to think [I]Time Is Fiction[/I] just wouldn't feel as complete so props to Edison Glass for that.
This is the type of album that has staying power and I don't doubt it'll be one of the best of '08 when it's all said and done. If you give Edison Glass a chance just be sure you give them a few chances and don't just write them off on the first listen. This is a band that knows how to create a true album that works best as a whole as opposed to a few hit singles with filler.
Gems of this album are: 'Cold Condition', 'See Me Through', 'Time Is Fiction', 'All Our Memories'
Lightning Strikes Twice| Posted March 21, 2009
Diverse, complex and unique are all words that accurately describe the Indie/Alternative rock band, Edison Glass. Their debut album, A Burn or A Shiver, was a solid record and left much to be expected from EG's sophomore release, Time is Fiction.
Time is Fiction is upbeat without it ever becoming tiring. All of the instruments are worth mentioning. The musicianship is above and beyond your average rock band. The drum beats are tight, the two guitars weaving in and out of each other in complex riffs, and the bass lines are creative. They've stepped it up a notch since A Burn or A Shiver.
While Christian themes are clearly present throughout the album, it's subtle and not overt. The vocals are distinct and immediately identifiable as Edison Glass.
You can't fully appreciate Time is Fiction in one listen. You have to listen to it many more times to catch everything, like how you have to watch a complex and exciting movie more than once to understand everything that's going on. It is one of the most enjoyable albums of 2008 in my opinion. It's very interesting, not background noise.
It's not watered down music. I'd highly recommend that you give it a listen if you're a musician or a more adventurous music listener. While it may sound confusing or disjointed at first, let me assure you that it takes serious skill to play music like this without falling apart. It's tighter and more well thought out than most albums.
If you liked A Burn or A Shiver, you will not be disappointed at all by Time is Fiction. It's different without the band changing their style, and the songs sound different even within the albums. That's one of things I like so much about them. If you've never heard Edison Glass, you really need to give them a listen.
For fans of Alternative, Indie or Experimental Rock. Sounds like Underoath, The Almost, Copeland, Seabird and The Myriad.
CREATIVE| Posted October 07, 2008
Thses dudes have a sound all their own.I have yet to hear another band that sounds like them.This cd is really impressive....VERY creative! The lyrics can be confusing sometimes...maybe it's just me.:-) But I really like this cd!
Super Tuesday!| Posted February 05, 2008
Favorite Track Musically:
Without A Sound
Favorite Track Lyrically:
See Me Through
Favorite Track Technically:
Jean Val Jean
Things that stood out to me compared to A Burn or a Shiver:
Maturity-
This is definitely a more mature album. It has a lot more happening with it musically than A Burn or a Shiver. The guys really stepped it up and brought in some different influences in this record.
Radio-
People brought into Edison Glass by the radio hits Forever and When All We Have Is Taken/Comfort may not find the poppy radio hits in this album like the last. Though the first track of the album 'Let Go' does offer just over two minutes of transition from the radio to the horns, strings, and mallet percussion that follows.
Instruments-
Like I said, there are plenty of new instruments incorporated through out Time Is Fiction. If you can get a copy of the performance the guys did on the Relevant podcast you get a great taste of vibraphone in See Me Through that is masked a bit more in the cut that made it into press. Chances gives a great jazz feel in it as well.
Lyrics-
Time Is Fiction does not offer an anthem as great as When All We Have Is Taken. That does not mean that it does not offer other great songs of worship. Every song on the album carries a message and I encourage you to get out the linear notes while listening and get lost in the lines.
Joshua-
His voice has always be good, but he has really increased his range with the sophomore effort. It seems he is really comfortable with his voice now and just falls into the melodies.
Mountain-
Boy turned the bass up for this one. He really makes his presence felt other than his voice with a lot more bass than we got in A Burn or a Shiver.
James-
There are not as many complementary lead guitar riffs between James and Josh, but they certainly have put a lot more rhythm into their playing and once again complement each other very well.
Not as much wailing in this one by him either, which I look forward to seeing these songs live how they progress and what he does with them. I don't think he can not not wail every chance he gets.
Joe-
He has been such a crucial piece to the Edison Glass makeup that it makes me scared to see him go. I honestly cannot picture anyone back there but Joe. His motions are just so fluid; I don't even think he listens to the songs, it's like he is just jamming and the muscle memory for the songs takes over. His technique is once again awe inspiring as he adds a lot more lows with his tom and bass work, and continues to use the cymbals more for musical accent than for dramatic effect.
This is a great sophomore effort by Edison Glass, but I can see how it will not be for everybody. I don't think it will have the popular radio releases like A Burn or a Shiver did, but for those who can appreciate the picture they painted, the story they tell, and the beautiful art they make will truly enjoy Time Is Fiction.
to add lyrics if not listed.
