Reviewed by Tony Cummings

If you thought all American rock emanating from the CCM companies was formulaic riffs-by-numbers, this band from Long Island are going to amaze and excite you. Somehow they've blended '70s prog rock, '80s new wave and alternative pop and '90s emo yet managed to come up with something that is fresh and invigorating. Musically complicated, with numerous shifts of rhythm and melodies that aren't constantly returning to the imagined "hook", producer Brad Wood (Smashing Pumpkins, Sunny Day Real Estate) brings out both the rhythmic ingenuity and the plaintive quality of vocalist Joshua Silverberg's tones to make music that is memorable and intelligent. Apparently this band have built a cult following through endless gigging in New York clubland and their tightness is hugely impressive. Lyrically too Edison Glass are no mere slogan sellers. The closer "When All We Have Is Taken/Comfort" neatly expresses the inner battle before we find peace in Christ: "Will you learn fire burns?/When all we have is taken/I'm falling to grace again/When all we have is taken/Take it all, take it now, I surrender." Good stuff and an impressive left-on-centre album.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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