Customer Reviews

Glass Houses

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Billy's 1980 opus was such a huge hit that it's easy to forget how enduring his songs really are. "Glass Houses" was Billy's "rock" album, and while some weak production (an ongoing problem for Billy) cuts the edge, he focused on a simplicity in the songwriting that really served his voice well. "You May Be Right" is a calculated, if irresistable, first single, but the real standouts are the dark "All for Leyna" (in which he sort of warms up for "Laura" on "Nylon Curtain"), the wonderful "Sleeping With the Television On," and the delicate, gorgeously-structured "Through the Long Night."

Even the misfires are thoroughly entertaining. "Close to the Borderline" lacks the punch to fulfill its post-punk ambitions, and the lyrics are awfully dated, but it's still a delightful anguished-yuppie number, and a nice preview of the more powerful, if equally unsubtle, "Pressure." "C'Etait Toi" meanders a bit, and Billy gets bogged down in bad French, but it's a pop charmer.

Then there are the hits..."Sometimes a Fantasy," "Don't Ask Me Why," the almost novelty-hit "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me." They were all hits for a damn good reason...they have great hooks, Billy sings 'em like he means 'em, and they get better with every listen. Billy would hit his Beatlesque stride with "Nylon Curtain" and find a stronger rock sound with "Storm Front," but it's great to hear him playing with both format on "Glass Houses."

Sure, I am but a mere one year older than this album, and while people in my generation groove to the likes of all the Christinas, Britneys, NSyncs and Backstreets, I take a trip back 20 years to when singers actually wrote their songs and sang about what mattered most -- not what about would make a great video. Billy is a Rock and Roll genius, and of his 15 albums, this is the ONE I could not live without!

It has just enough of his hits on it ("You May Be Right," "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," and "Don't Ask Me Why") for those who aren't fanatics. But, the core of the album (as with most of Billy's work) is the unreleased songs: "Sometimes a Fantasy," "All for Leyna," and "Sleeping with the Television On," plus the others. These are the songs that you fall in love with and listen to on repeat (or, at least I do.) They are "Glass Houses," and each is its own masterpiece written by the single best singer/songwriter of 3 consecutive decades.

Go ahead... Listen and fall in love. Nostalgia it isn't. Great music it is. The 80s feel to the music only adds to its meaning and makes you appreciate that an album 21 years old can become your favorite for the next 21 years.

This was my first album ever. I was in third grade. It was this, and Disco Duck, so, you can guess which one stood the test of time. The other album, Glass Houses, was great too! I was too young to understand why being a straight A student meant you thought too much, but, I knew that if you got bad grades, you were cool, and some day, I might have a white boy's afro, wear a leather member's only jacket, and throw a rock through my rich girlfriend's glass house. What do you want from me...I was eight years old when I first heard this album. Thanks to this album I conned my Grandparents into buying me a sax, and then a key board, and then a leather jacket, and, eventually, drums. So, thanks to Billy Joel's Glass Houses, my life would never, ever follow a linear path on the road most travelled. One thing that does stand out, other than the fact that this album still blows away every album I have bought since...the whole star spangled banner playing with the bars and tone sound leading into the song. No one these days will understand what that sound means, which makes it even better. When ever I listen to this album, it always reminds me of a simpler time when every house had one phone, no answering machine, no internet, and a TV with 3 channels on a dial that played the national anthem or star spangled banner as we all fell asleep in the living room....you know...when families all actually hung out with each other. Thank you Billy.

Back in the December of 1980, this album was given to me as a holiday gift. Strangely enough, it wasn't until a prolonged illness in Fall 1982 that I actually listened to the album (guess I got bored of Simon & Garfunkel, the Beatles, and the few selections of Bach and Vivaldi I was listening to back then...) - and realized that there was, in fact, other music out there - and in the case of this album, there was other really, really great music out there...In fact, within 12 months I was listening to the radio, digging through my dad's (and even my sister's) record collection for new and varied music.

But, as usual, I digress. "Glass Houses" is one of Billy Joel's two masterpiece albums. Even now, on listening to this album after having been almost complete jaded on Billy Joel's albums, there are really no songs here that I don't like. Almost every song on this album is a classic.

Highlights? As with any album which I deem to be a masterpiece (and there aren't a whole lot of those around), every song here is a highlight, just about. Favorites include the funny and cynical "You May Be Right", the concise and catchy hit "It's Still Rock 'N Roll To Me", and the urgent lyrics and rocking piano of "All For Leyna". Maybe my favorite song on the album is "I Don't Want To Be Alone" which I love for its nice story of an underdog's efforts in love and for its nice back-up harmonies. "Close To The Borderline" is the closest Billy Joel ever comes to hard rock - and while it's not exactly heavy metal or anything, it is melodic and satisfying. I also love the last song on the album with its Beatlesque harmonies, "Through The Long Night" - the first time I heard it, I thought it actually was a Beatles song - pretty stuff, indeed!

In sum, this album has six or seven songs which I just love - absolutely classic. The rest of the songs are also very good. This is as good as Billy Joel has ever done - a great album! A MASTERPIECE - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND ESSENTIAL!!!

I would consider this album to be some of Billy Joel's best work. I believe this was when Billy started focusing on harder and truer rock after the "folky" period (Cold Spring Harbor) and also the more "jazzy", lighter period- he had just released the very jazz-oriented 52nd Street the year before which won him a Best Album of the Year Grammy.

With Glass Houses he breaks into new territory- literally, it's the first thing you hear. The #1 "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me", "Sometimes a Fantasy" and "Close to the Borderline" display his more frequent use of electric guitars and heavier drums- great songs to play loud when you're stuck in traffic. Pay particular attention to the lyrics on "Rock and Roll"- I think those were the overwhelming reason why this song was #1. (Note also his use of "West Side!" on "Borderline".) "All For Leyna", a pathetically poignant song, (everyone has had a Leyna) employs a lot of extremely '80's synthesizer sounds- new wave, perhaps. "You May Be Right"- a favorite of mine and one of the biggest hits (next to "Rock and Roll") has fabulous lyrics, a catchy tune and this strangely familiar opening riff like something off of the Beatles' "Day Tripper". Like Mr. Joel says, "You might enjoy some madness for awhile"...

The mid-tempo songs and ballads don't fall short either. "Don't Ask Me Why"- I can guarantee that you will recognize the song the moment you hear it (but, uh, don't ask me why). It wasn't that big of a hit for its time (so I've heard) but the melody is absolutely contagious. "I Don't Want to Be Alone" and "Through the Long Night"- good stuff, great lyrics and both sound *completely* different from each other with syncopated beats versus a Paul McCartney flavor respectively- a very welcome change from some of today's monotonous slow songs. "C'était Toi"- you be your own judge on that one. It's my least favorite here but it is an interesting song, complete with French lyrics, and definitely has musical merit to it.

However, I think the most underrated Billy Joel song of all time has to "Sleeping with the Television On". This song is so well-written with perfect metaphors, biting lyrics and snappy sounds- even the intro sound clip. It is incredible- it has it all. I am frantically trying to track down the video for this song. It is my favorite on the album- but the decision was not easy. Decide for yourself and get some good mileage from your speakers- buy this album.

After the back to back smashes that were 1977's "The Stranger" and 1978's "52nd Street," Billy was quick to adapt to the changing sounds of the time. With his brand of piano pop taking a back to seat to punk and the up and coming New Wave movement, Billy got to work on a new batch of numbers that eventually became 1980's "Glass Houses."

"Glass Houses," as mentioned, marks a departure for Billy. New sounds and instrumentations are present on this record, and Billy's trademark acoustic piano often gives way to heavier keyboard use as well as chunkier guitar riffs and more prominent drums.

The album begins, appropriately, with a brief snippet of glass shattering, before the opening riff of the hectic rocker "You May Be Right" gets the ball rolling. A fast paced, fun, gritty rocker with a snarling Billy vocal, this song remains an instant Billy classic, one of his all time best songs and an immense crowd pleaser that explodes with energy.

The second track is another hard hitting rocker, the in your face rocker "Sometimes A Fantasy." Underscored by Joel's heavy breathing and theremin screech on the instrumental break simulating climax, it is quite simply the finest rock and roll song ever written about phone sex. A true classic and a great song.

Next up is the "Don't Ask Me Why," by far the mellowest track on the album and the one closest in sound to his previous efforts. Sung with a sly, easygoing style with a lilting samba providing background, this charming piece is another concert perennial and one that will have you toe tapping in no time.

Next comes the album's most recognizable track and Billy's first number one single. "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me" bops along to a chugging New Wave meets "Midnight Rambler" beat as Billy laments people's attitudes towards changing times and how they update to remain hip. It's a true feel good number, a concert favorite and one of his all time best songs.

The next track is probably my favorite song on the album. "All For Leyna" is a dark ballad about obsession, highlighted by a stuttering keyboard riff and a snarling, angry Billy vocal as he recalls the woman who gave him the most memorable night of his life and now hopes for her return endlessly, even as he slowly destroys himself in the process. A dark, thrilling rocker that sadly goes under the radar.

The mood shifts gears with the midtempo ballad "I Don't Want To Be Alone," which features a nice chorus but is fairly disposable.

Next comes another all time favorite, the in your face rocker "Sleeping With The Television On." A frenetic punk / New Wave combo, it's a pure rock rave-up and one of my all tiem favorite Billy songs. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform it at Madison Square Garden 2 years ago, and it was magnificent.

Next comes the album's sole mishap, as "C'Etait Toi (You Were The One)" meanders with Billy singing bad French. Had the song stuck to Engliah and maybe been cut down, it would've worked a bit better.

"Close To The Borderline" is a nervous rocker personifying early 1980s' yuppy life. A bit out of date, but it's a nice listen.

The brief, delicate ballad "Through The Long Night" brings the album to a close, and it's a beautiful love song.

This album is Billy at his absolute best, and is a must have for all fans.

For some reason 1980 saw the onslaught of pop royalty releasing the new wave punky album - Linda Ronstadt had Mad Love, Carly Simon did Come Upstairs and Billy, longing to shed the critic's image of him as a balladeer made Glass Houses - a romping rock album with elements of new wave and punk - of course the new wave and punk just like in the case of Linda and Carly is glossed over by the professional production and the fact that the anger of the genre isn't necessarily convincing in this element.

However, that doesn't mean the albums aren't good, and of the three this is by far my favorite. As a kid I had this cassette and because side one was so frickin' fun I would just rewind and play it over and so I never heard the last five songs until I got this CD yesterday. First let me tell you, those first five songs are completely infectious which to me is the essence of new wave rock - opening with glass smashing (of course) "You May Be Right" begins with its chunky guitar and a Billy Joel growl as he angrily plows through to the next - my favorite - "Sometimes A Fantasy" ('oh, oh, oh'), then a Beatle ish/Spector ish "Don't Ask Me Why" which is so sing alongy I usually end up playing it twice, before the hit single - new waveish Billy on "It's Still Rock & Roll To Me" and then a rocker of bitterness "All For Leyla." Then I was finally able to move to the next set and though not completely forgettable, they aren't quite as great as those first five - though I really like "I Don't Want To Be Alone" & "Sleeping With The Television On" and though I hate to say it, had some real new wave band done the songs they could've been brilliant and fun - I think, like other critics have said - Billy just wasn't all that convincing in his this new bitter world of his.

But they are infectious songs and of the three Billy albums I got (The Stranger, 52nd Street, Glass Houses), this is by far my favorite.

Billy Joel remains one of the greatest musicians and singers of our time. This Billy Joel album, entitled Glass Houses, gives us a look at a younger Billy Joel giving blood to create some really awesome songs.

The CD track set begins with a smash hit for Billy entitled "You May be Right." This number has some great guitars and percussion; and Billy never sounded better! Billy sings about the fun he has partying and how he has found a woman he wants to make his lover. "Sometimes A Fantasy," the next track, again features Billy singing flawlessly of his dreaming at night for his woman; listen for some awesome guitars, drums and percussion.

"Don't Ask Me Why" has a nice Latin beat to it as Billy sings of a woman who recently came into money; she tries to act as if she always had it but Billy knows she's "no stranger to the street." "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me" has another incredible musical arrangement as Billy sings about superficial people who mindlessly follow fashion trends just to look good. There's also the passionate ballad "All For Leyna," about a young man who can't get Leyna, a woman he met, out of his mind. The piano arrangement on "All For Leyna" works very well for this number.

"I Don't Want To Be Alone" sports some intricate tempo changes; and "C'Etait Toi" features Billy remembering his one true love who left him. "C'Etait Toi" also has some great piano, drums and harmonica.

The CD ends with "Through The Long Night." Billy and his woman decide to try to keep their relationship alive despite their past troubles. "Through The Long Night" is a beautiful ballad and I predict that you'll like it very much.

The CD artwork impresses me--love that photo on the front cover!

Billy Joel truly scored a grand slam with this album. I recommend this album for anyone who likes good, solid rock from the early 1980s that still sounds great today.

Many detractors have always asked Billy, 'what are you?'. Are you a piano balladeer?, or are you a rock and roller?. Can't artists be both?. Who said they had to be one thing?. Glass Houses is a more punkish rock and roll album from Billy. He had done this uptempo rock before on previous albums, but nothing quite like this. This is an immensley rocking and enjoyable album filled with memorable songs. "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me", "Sometimes A Fantasy", "You May Be Right", and "Don't Ask Me Why", are the hits. They are forever classics. The other songs are just as strong. "Closer To The Borderline" is a very rocking song that might be surprising upon first time listeners. It's a great song. "Through The Long Night", which closes the album, is very Beatlesque. It's a pretty song. Watch out for "All For Leyna", a Billy Joel stunner that should've been released. Billy hasn't made an album as rocking as this since. That's okay, but it would be great if he did. You have to listen to these songs and all of his others and realize the slick craftsmanship that goes into it. He is truly a genius. This album will not disappoint.

"Glass Houses" is one of Billy Joel's best albums. It shows his wide range both as a singer and as a songwriter. He can do it all. This record included some controversial material such as "Sometimes A Fantasy" which is overtly about masturbation. It's a very personal record that conveys Billy Joel's most private thoughts and emotions in a period of his life when he was struggling.

I really love the range of this record. We get some rollicking rock and roll with "It's Still Rock and Roll To Me", "Close To The Borderline" and "You May Be Right". We get the sweet and sentimental with "I Don't Want To Be Alone". We also get pain and loneliness in "Sleeping With The Television On", "All For Leyna", "C'etait Toi (You Were The One", and "Through The Long Night".

This is truly a great album by a great artist at what may have been the apex of his creativity. I recommend it highly.