Customer Reviews

Looking Glass

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

 

 

I'm not really a fan of EPs but this EP has some really good stuff on it. After Nothing and Nowhere and their follow-up on Metropolis, I've actually was looking forward to this album anyhow. And hearing Shiver live made me HAVE to go out and buy this release.

Shiver is the big song from this EP, even producing a video from it (that appears as an extra on some of the releases of this album). I personally liked it because it has a steady beat, lyrics that have meaning to them, and a drove of sounds that go from melodic to rocking the proverbial house. The nice thing about this is Chibi, the lead from yet another Canadian band that isn't Decoded Feedback, does some nice work. They also have a thing for their fans so you can keep in touch with them, go to their site and get free stuff that goes with releases like this, and so on.

I Think we're alone Now is a great cover, too, and sounds a lot better when you take the 80s out of it. This isn't meant to down Tiffany - in fact, it says that the song has lasting power I never imagined when it came out.

I also commend the song red Stars because it has a nice sound and really shows you what the next album was all about. It takes a few plays to get accustomed to it but, since you are thinking of getting it, you will have plenty of time for it to grow on you. Besides, it has TBM's sound that I have grown to love and like a lot.

There are other songs on this as well, but these are what are worth mentioning to me. I personally liked this more than most EPS, too, and wanted to have it because I found I copy that was video-ready. Listen to it and see what you think - and make sure to check out Shiver because it is a good selling point.
A female lead, light and dark sounds - they have what it takes to be big.

First off let me start by saying that if I could I'd give this album a 4.5 instead of a full 5, but seeing as only two of the songs are responsible for all of my gripes I'm going to go ahead and give this the higher rating.

The biggest problem with this CD is that the group chose one of the more less appealing songs to promote - in this case Looking Glass. Out of all the songs from Walking With Strangers that would have made a better promotional vid or song I would have named almost any other. The music video is almost painfully embarrassing to watch as well, and while the band plays with an interesting concept in it all the artistic direction comes off as terribly cliched and trite. Huge bummer.

However despite these flaws this is still a truly wonderful CD, with the following standing out in particular :

1. Falling Down

This lives up to its new found subtitle "crawling pulse". The mix slows it down to an almost creepy level, bringing more melodious bridges and melancholy pianos into it until the song is almost completely transformed. I gave the song 2.5 - 3 stars on Walking With Strangers however this is a full blown 5 making it one of the better remixes on the album.

2. Shiver

If this is any indication where the next album is heading I think we might have a better album than even Violet to look foreword too (which in my opinion is the band's best to date). A song that pulls no punches as it sings out about a woman thats "too cold to shiver". Can you say "ouch"? Truly a wonderful reminder of the bands ability to write incredibly visual and poetic lyrics.

3. Nowhere

I'm throwing this on my favorites list because even though its an instrumental its still incredibly beautiful. For those of us who loved songs like Black, Red and Prologue and wished that they were a tiny bit longer this is an answer to our prayers at last. Very beautiful.

4. I Think We're Alone Now

No one can dispute that Tiffany is one of the original Pop Princesses with a voice that could put current holders of the tittle to shame however I have to admit . . . the TBM cover is actually better. Another reviewer mentioned here that it was almost like another song entirely and I have to agree and I'm not one to give kudos to covers lightly.

Over all for the price and the content this is a fabulous album. A few things here and there are preventing me from giving it a full 5 stars but really they're just minor complains and shouldn't be taken too seriously by anyone looking to buy this, my only real complain being that now I'm having an even harder time waiting until their next album after being given a taste of this!

The Birthday Massacre is one of my favorite bands of all time and I have loved just about everything the band has put out. I love the band's mix of new wave with modern rock. All of their songs are ear candy, irresistably catchy. I love just about everything that the band has put out. Most of them anyways. LOOKING GLASS is my least favorite TBM album. It isn't because it is a terrible album. I have heard much worse. My problem with the album is that the remixes are anything but impressive. The Start's remix of "Falling Down" is evidence of the lack of energy and thought put into the remix. My favorite song on the entire EP is their cover of "I Think We're Alone Now". The song has a lot of energy unlike the rest of the album. Initially I didn't like "Shiver" but after a few listens the song has grown on me quite a bit. It still isn't nearly as good as "I Think We're Alone Now" but I still like the song. It is too bad I can't say the same for the other five tracks. LOOKING GLASS was a disappointment for this TBM fan. I hope it isn't an indicator for what to expect for the band's next studio album (whenever that will be).

If you listen the TBM you'll like this. Some good mixes from Walking with Strangers.

I ended up liking Looking Glass (the song) alot better after seeing the music video for it. Choosing to work with Dan Ouellette again was a good call. The remixes are all decent to good; Il Attire's Remix of "Red Star" is especially great. It's also nice to finally have "Nowhere" for ready listening. My favorite track on The Looking Glass EP though, is definitely TBM's take on: "I Think We're Alone Now", originally written by Ritchie Cordell*(edited)*.. it's almost a whole new song. I'd really like to see TBM cover some more well known songs in general I suppose (Duran Duran, Depeche Mode?), just too hear that magic touch only The Birthday Massacre can give to music.

Well the albums not bad, the underlying riffs behind the music make it seem like a gothic theatre perfomance. I just picked the CD up since there touring with MSI's "If" tour this year. The beats are catchy and lyrics are great throughout most of the CD. It is shrot though, only eight tracks but includes the music video for "Looking Glass". So yeah in short better than Evanesance ('scuse me if thats spelled wrong) good beats, great if your into goth rock.