Smile

Crimson Glow (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Label: Mutant Recordings
• ASIN: B000UPYVDW
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,146,887 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Music by Jimy Magrini. Lyrics by Linhart/Magrini. Arranged by CG. All songs recorded & mixed at Island Recorders, Chicago. Seven songs. Mutant, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Great stuff from a classy group..., February 20, 2011

By 

Jordan M. Stone (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smile (Audio CD)

I recently got a hold of the killer cd from Crimson Glow called Smile. This cd is a compilation of tracks taken over several years. I first knew of this band from a previous band, Crucifix. I have to tell you, if you like what was happening in rock in the mid90's, then you have to get this cd!!! It's a classic!

4.0 out of 5 stars Crimson glow, April 4, 2008

By 

Michael Fressola - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smile (Audio CD)

I first saw Crimson Glow perform at the Undercurrents Music Festival in Ohio (the poor-mans CMJ), and they blew me away (I'm from Chicago and was in Ohio checking out a friends band), they opened the set with the AIC cover, Them Bones and immediately got everyones attention. By the end of their set people wanted to learn more about the band. The singer was throwing demo tapes into the crowd. This tape had ten songs: Slipping Through, I Alone, Mind Rape, Revelation, What I Am, Like a Crown, Down, Crimson Glow, House Burn, and Friends (Zep cover). It was probably the best grunge-alternative demo-tape of an unsigned band that I have ever heard!
Below, I have included actual reviews from trade publications of CG from the mid-1990s, so this review of the music is not simply based on my own opinion:
On the "Red" demo -
Midwest Metal: "To me, there are two kinds of demos. One is the kind that constantly reminds you that you are listening to a demo, and say, "Oh, well, it's only a demo." The other kind is when you say, in complete disbelief, "This is only a demo?!!!" The demo from Chicago's Crimson Glow literally destroys the boundaries of sonic pleasure. They use moody instrumentation to translate their message the only way they know how, with subtle force. This is for those who like thought-heavy music with a twist."
Renegade: "Crimson Glow adds a raw yet catchy, hook-like memorability to its songs to set the band apart from the rest on this demo tape. They are honest energy. And based on the conversation with the band at Undercurrents (before I introduced myself as the editor), they're a band with a great attitude on stage for all the right reasons."
Cake: "These grunge mavens sound like they really bake the cookies live. However, I found that listening to this demo not unlike viewing a freshly decapitated corpse through rose-colored Vaseline-smeared lenses - you wish you could make out all the grisly details. Too bad some recording issues and overproduction obscure the band's strengths (the power of singer Dan Linhart and some killer guitar riffs). You've got some serious potential boys, but take a tip from Jesus Lizard and spend your recording dollars on the basics."
This last review is pretty much on the mark for me, as stated, I was surprised when they never re-recorded the demo as a full-length CD release. The songs were so great, but they clearly would have benefitted from being more professionally recorded and produced.
Although the "Smile" EP seems a bit more complex musically than the tracks on the demo, it does not have the raw power and overwhelming impact of the previously mentioned "Red" demo tape.
On "Smile" -
Chicago Showcase: "Smile is melodic acid grunge laced with power and poise. As heavy as these songs appear to be, the plodding tempo of each tends to make them very hypnotic and addictive. CG offers seven dark and haunting tunes that will damn near kill you. They could best be described as Pearl James evil incarnate. Although the music appears to be spiritually influenced, the band does a great job of relating its message without shoving in your face."
Skull Session: "This is alternarock with some balls (and maybe I'm better calling it alterametal, as its quite abrasive). Vocalist Dan Linhart has a varied approach but its generally high-pitched enough to disguise the low, heavy dirge that the musicians provide. With wicked samples, some feedback, and other noise elements, CG avoid sounding too clean in a genre that could use a little grime. Even a melodic track like Walking Man sustains an edge. This band has a similar heaviness as does Soundgarden or Only Living Witness."
The Glass Eye: "The official debut from this Chicago five-piece make for a very moody, heavy and aggressive album. Although it's a short EP, the album still gets their point across. Overall it reminds my of the "Core" album by the Stone Temple Pilots. Fans of Scott Weiland's voice, and STP's earlier sound will love this album."
Apparently CG ended up with a small production and distribution deal (Thermometer Records), I was pleasantly surprised when I found their "Smile" album at the local record store (I was also surprised to come across the band's music on Amazon), I thought they might be on the verge of making it beyond Chicago, but that was not the case. I heard one of the guys in the band died of an overdose, and then they all just disappeared. Too bad, they were an awesome band with great potential.
I gave the "Smile" CD four stars for the reason that the band did not include more songs from its Chicago "Red" demo-tape. I Alone and Slipping Through (from the demo) are included on "Smile" as re-mixes, and are by far the best tracks on the EP, along with Face to Face. I don't know why they did not re-record and release all the songs from that killer demo tape???