Customer Reviews

A Little Voodoo

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The band Grey Eye Glances continues to amaze me. How many musicians that started off playing gigs at local bookstores have grown enough to create such a wonderful album as this? As the big corporate labels have ruined rock music with mass-marketed pop songs aimed at sheepish teenagers, bands like Grey Eye Glances show off great talent and songwriting abilities for adults with taste and appreciation.

Its with a little sadness that I first heard this album, so polished and professional, reminding me that this "local" band is poised to break out into areas besides their little east coast niche. How much longer will this little secret last? Dwayne Keith's songwriting won't stay hidden for long, Brett Kull is an amazing guitar, and if Jen Nobel is being compared to Natalie Merchant and Aimee Mann, then how much longer until she is always casually mentioned in the same breath as these two artists?

"A Little Voodoo" is just a great album, building on the older albums, and bridging into other areas. The addition of Brett Kull seems to have had a great positive influence on the band, as shown in songs like "He and She", which is the first GEG song that could be considered a "rock" song. Production is great, although it took me by surprise, since the intros were a different turn for the band. The experimentation with different instruments continues, and really adds to the songs. Of course, the songwriting is still as strong, as "Good Folks" keeps the dreamier style, and "Big Red Boat" is another "feel good song of the year." Call your adult-alternative radio stations and demand they play the single "Close Your Eyes" which will hopefully open the eyes of people starving for good music.

If you could take only one CD with you to that desert island, this would be it. With a perfect combination of music and lyrics, you simply will not tire of listening to "A Little Voodoo". The tracks run the gamut of musical styles, but all feature the perfect voice of Jennifer Nobel, the incredible harmonies of Dwayne, Eric and Brett, and the unmistakable Grey Eye Glances sound. A real treat for GEG fans and a great introduction to the band for first-time listeners. Grey Eye Glances has never sounded better.

I love this CD. It's not like anything else I own. The lyrics are beautiful and the music is really diverse. It's soft at times and rockin' at other times. The tunes will stay in your head long after you listen to them. The singer's voice is beautiful.

Was voodoo magic involved in the writing and recording of the latest studio album by Philadelphia area band Grey Eye Glances? Perhaps "A Little." What else could explain the conjuring of perfect instrumentation, harmonies, and lyrics? The CD starts out with "Close Your Eyes," more of a rock tune in the folk-rock genre the band occupies. If you attend a live show, Dwayne Keith, keyboarder, background vocalist, and primary songwriter, would comment that this song was written about the book The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. The chorus echoes, "close your eyes, we are buildings, we're so amazing, close your eyes, we are movement, we're all-inspiring..." Anyone who has read the book knows these sentiments sing of Ayn's philosophy. A well-rounded, literate, and musically adept band - intriguing, isn't it? The tempo is kept at a steady pace with the next 2 songs, "Oh No," a song new to this album, and "If I Was," a recap of an old favorite about the lengths we go to in order to be close to the object of our affection, or should I say, obsession? The first slow song on the CD is a new one, called "The One." A self-proclaimed love song, it captures perfectly the moment when love is born into an unsuspecting situation. Half-way through the CD you land on "Big Red Boat," the dancy, sing-along single from this album. You can't help but join in singing..."la da da da, la da da da, ...I'm building a big red boat, building a big red boat, with full intentions to set sail..." The rocking pace is kept up by "He and She." The poetic soul of GEG is bared once again in another oldie but a GOODIE, "Even." It is one of my favorites, but let the lyrics speak for themselves..."the figure in the mirror's searching for some perspective from some healer anyway, we both play games we despise. And should they come to bring you just a small bit closer to yourself, remember we are neither of us wise..." A dreamer's anthem, the second to last song, "Keep On," will inspire you to push for that extra mile when things look dark. Rounding out this excellent offering is, "All Because of You," a nostalgic look at love and life. If you are a fan of flowing melodies, poetry, and angelic voices akin to Sarah McLachlan, you owe it to yourself to get this CD and become acquainted with this intense and poetic band. And if you like what you hear, go see them when they come to your state, and buy the rest of their catalog of CDs, you won't be sorry!!

If Grey Eye Glances are ever to hit mainstream success, this cd is definitely not going to get them massive airplay along side the bubble gum, pseudo rock, rap rock that currently horde precious radio air time.

Once again, Grey Eye Glances has released a collection of inspired music assembling their talent as a group. Each band member made contributions to each of the songs either musically, lyrically, or in the production of the album. While gone is the folky progressive sounds found on Eventide and Painted Pictures. We find that the band has gained an edge with straight on rockers like "He and She," and the fun "If I Was" and "Big Red Boat." Yet, we find that Jen Noble's voice can still envoke such a wave of emotions through beautiful songs such a "Good Folks," and "Even." Perhaps the biggest treats come in pop gems like "Close Your Eyes," which is very Sarah Mclachan-esque; and the Jen Noble/Dwayne Keith penned "Oh No," and "The One."

If mainstream radio would wake up and devote some time to quality music, bands such as Grey Eye Glances could easily find their music being played in radios across the nation. Easily half of the album could prove to be potential radio singles if given the chance.

Then again... for Grey Eye Glances it has never been about radio airplay. As every respectable indie band knows, it's simply all about making the music! Buy "A Little Voodoo" and experience the songs and sounds that you've been missing.

I received this cd just about a month ago, popped it in my cd player in the truck and . . . I haven't taken it out once since. I love to hear instruments and voices that blend so perfectly together that they almost become one (throw in a teanie tiny bit of piano and I'm almost always hooked). Add to that some truley brilliant lyrics and I couldn't be any happier. My favorite song is the last one on the cd (which is actually two songs bridged together as one). The melodies are great, I can see "the brillance of the light at night", and I enjoy the manner in which the voices play with each other on this one.

I don't own any other Grey Eye Glances but this WON'T be my last. Thanks to Amazon for the recommendation. I've tripped across some great finds thanks to this feature.

First, I'd like to say that I think those who have expressed disappointment with the band's musical evolution, must not know them very well. I have been a fan of GEG since their days as Sojourn & yes, this is VERY different than how they started out but it still incorporates their wonderful lyrics, vocal stylings & music that I've come to know & love. Sure, I was taken aback somewhat when I first heard ALV but mostly because I had become so used to earlier versions of some of the songs. This is something you just can't do with GEG, you need to expect the unexpected. They constantly push themselves to try new styles & are never content with doing the same thing over & over, which is what I like about them. Why be boring & predictable?? As their lives change & evolve, so does their music.

That's what this band is all about, the music! They don't want to be pop icons, they just want to write good music that they and their fans enjoy listening to. Having seen them play a number of times, I can honestly say that it's an experience like no other. It's like you're part of the band's family, you get to know them at their shows & they truly love their fans - that's something that's much too rare these days.

Now for the music.... Top-notch as always! There's something to suit every mood, but I think my favorite is 'Big Red Boat' it's just pure fun & always makes me feel good. I'd be hard-pressed to find a song of theirs I truly didn't like, but I do wish they had included the song "Moonlight" on this CD. Maybe next time, right guys?? ;) Now I need to go pre-order their new Live CD.....

When I first listened to "A Little Voodoo" I was not sure I was liking what I was hearing. Alas, after just a few listens the CD is really growing on me. Songs like "Close Your Eyes" and "He and She" have a rock sound that is unlike anything I've heard them do before, while a song like "Oh No" shows their diversity of musical styles. Two other standouts on the CD are "Even" and "All Because of You", two wonderful romantic songs that showcase their lyrics and Jennifer's beautiful singing voice. Not quite as good as "Painted Pictures" and "Eventide", but better than 99% of what passes for music today. A wonderful CD, I can't recommend it more highly!

I just got this CD during lunch and didn't care that I paid [the local store] prices. From the opening track "Close Your Eyes" (which is amazing and my favorite track) through the whole disk, I am reminded why I fell in love with their music almost 6 years ago. The variety and spice of having different producers on this album brings out the flavour of the band ...

I agree that GEG has done it again with a great album. As always the pure talent of these people comes through.

The album is definitely a bit different from previous offerings. It's got more edge and the sound is expanded. While after the release concert I thought I prefered the "pop" sound of earlier albums, the more I listen, the more I love it. Jen's voice has always been at the core of the GEG sound, and this album is no exception. "A Little Voodoo" really showcases the talents Dwayne, Jen, Eric, Brett and Paul bring to an industry sadly lacking in originality. As always, the lyrics actually SAY something and the band puts themselves into bringing that across. While I prefer the "Even" track from "If I Was" and "Big Red Boat" from the live album (how could I not, I was there when it was recorded), I find that "Close Your Eyes," "Good Folks," "The One" and "All Because of You" keep running through my head and have me hitting the repeat button on the CD player.

Some old-time fans are being caustic (to say the least) and take the change in sound as a personal betrayal. Get over it! Yes, GEG fans from NJ & PA are supporting them. We've been there for the Borders shows, dragged everyone we could to listen and done our best to see that this remarkable group of people is still around to grace us with their artistic vision.