Customer Reviews

Rituals

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"Rituals" is the first--and as far as I know, ONLY--album from the southern California band STAINED GLASS. While not quite as strong as the band's live shows, it is still an impressive debut.

Electric blues/rock in the vein of SRV and Little Feat, "Rituals" features tight musicianship without the muddy gloss of overproduction so typical nowadays. The guitar work of Reid Holmes is, if not particularly inventive, consistently strong even when crossing over from raucous tunes like "Justice" to more subtle acoustic tracks like "In the Dark." Tracks like "Ego Man" showcase Tod Gentille's phenomenally stylized drumming: he never really has the chance to cut loose on this album--which is a shame--but even here you get the distinct sensation that this is someone who really, REALLY loves what he's doing.

The bass and keys form a good background, as they should, and the melodies--mostly penned by keyboardist Jim Astle--are largly what one would expect from this type of group: straight-ahead electric blues rockers, with enough personality to keep you interested.

Having said all of that, you might find this album a bit annoying if you're either a vocalist or a lyricist, since lead singer/songwriter David Astle seems to be neither. OK, that's probably a little rough, but Astle DOES seem to take himself and his talents a little more seriously than he really has the right to, and most of the lyrics here consist of potentially interesting subjects that never fully develop into real songs.

That slight quibble aside, this album is overall a satisfying addition to my collection. If you're looking for good tunes that don't sound canned, check these boys out. Better yet, if you're on the West Coast, see if you can catch them live.

i would have to say this band is not willing to give us 110%
they have been together for over 3 years and still haven't realized to be a successful band you have to play your music not just put it on disc. finding the right grove has not been this bands desire. i am no record company but i know good music and this is good music, now put all your ducks in a row, get off your ass and be musicians you over the hill wanta bee's. remember it is not your age, it's time to rock (not in your rocking chairs). so if your really musicains let see you kick rock and roll ass.