Customer Reviews

Wonderland

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This release from Glass Tiger vocalist Alan Frew is a remarkable work of art in its own right, generously supplemented with excellent bonus tracks--Glass Tiger's hit "Someday," the Scottish-themed "My Town" (featuring Rod Stewart) from GT's rare 3rd album Simple Mission and two from Frew's hard-to-find solo debut Hold On including the Canadian number one "So Blind."

If Hold On was a warm embrace, Wonderland is more challenging emotionally, and an aesthetically masterful creation vocally, lyrically, and melodically. The songs seem to unfold naturally, yet each is refreshing. The album opens with a gentle, loving invitation--the sadly sweet "Open For A Friend," one of many tracks that show the warmth and appeal of his voice and his subtle and sensitive phrasing. The same can be said for "All I Ever Wanted"--perfectly structured in both verse and chorus. Frew's touching delivery resolves each line beautifully--all the way through to the song's ultimate resolution in the very last, simple word. "A Rose In My Book" is an exquisite reminiscence of lost love that begins with soft, richly textured low notes and ends in a thrilling, archangelic falsetto. As the music fades out, the simple melodic underpinnings of the song tinkle like a sad lullaby--almost as if the song could have been written about the loss of a child rather than a romantic love. And then there's the lyric in the bridge culminating in the ethereal upward-lilting "moon"--I'm not overly sentimental and not at all romantic--but that line gets me every time. "I Could Never Lie To You" features an interesting use of waltz time in a country-flavored rock ballad in which an earthy organ and piano provide effective contrast to the poignant lyric. "Colors Of Friends And Places" is an invigorating foot stomper, and "That's Life" offers a surprisingly effective change of pace from the harmonically lush chorus to the hard-edged ending. "Everything Must Change" is arrestingly beautiful, both in terms of the lyrics as written and the way they are given voice. Here and in other intense moments a slight huskiness develops in Frew's normally clear voice--as in the title track's final almost accusatory "I needed you," creating an affecting undertone of pain and disappointment. The eastern-flavored "Wonderland" is a rich soundscape. The chorus calls to mind the Lennon/McCartney vocal blend, but the verse is like nothing I've ever heard with its strangely intense pushed-out notes and unexpected timing.

Wonderland and Hold On both have elements that are Beatlesque in the best sense--reflecting this artist's formation and inspiration. The Celtic influences evident in Glass Tiger and his solo debut are here, but in less traditional form, as in the frenzied fiddle solo in "Lipstick." As an artistically cohesive unit, the album ends after a melodic reprise of "Mother" entitled "Everybody Sing." Despite the defiant lyric it might be considered a solemn note on which to end were it not for the addition of four fine bonus tracks that abruptly change the mood. In terms of quality both Hold On and Wonderland showcase Frew's talent as an accomplished singer/songwriter. I enjoy them from beginning to end without ever feeling the need to skip a track--and I cannot say that about many albums. But Wonderland is strikingly different in mood from the comparatively lighthearted Hold On. The lyrics are more introspective and unguarded. The emotions are varied and complex, expressed through the new colors added to Frew's vocal palette. Wonderland is an impressive stylistic development, in which he moves beyond artistic maturation to aesthetic exploration--all in the context of a superbly crafted "pop" album. Kelly G. Smith

Having been a Glass Tiger fan for many years, I was very excited to see Alan Frew back on the scene doing solo albums. His first album "Hold On" was excellent. Just when I thought he couldn't do any better...he did. "Wonderland" is his best work to date. This album has it all.Songs that make you think, songs that make you dance, songs that make you happy, and a few that make you cry. Both lyrically and musically, it exceeded all my expectations. Do yourself a favour and buy this album, you will not be disapointed!

Alan Frew, the very talented and world-renown lead singer and songwriter for the highly successful Canadian band Glass Tiger, wears his heart on his sleeve and lays his emotions on the table with his second solo effort "Wonderland" (released in 2000).

The CD commences with "Open For a Friend", a song with a sweet Nashville sound and sentimental lyrics. From there the listener jumps into the angst-ridden "Lipstick". The Celtic-flavored tune is ladled with such clever comeback lines as "I put ten sugars in your coffee just to even up the score" and "eat s*** and die".

The third track, "Home", is a haunting-sounding self-portrait of the singer's experience as a musician. Another song written in Nashville is "I Could Never Lie To You". Along with the use of an organ to display a bluesy sound, the lyrics come across sounding as an act of forgiveness. "Mother" is a touching tune, which expresses the conflicting relationship the songwriter had with his now deceased mother.

The title track has a very "tribal" sound to it, complete with eerie lyrics. The country-sounding "All I Ever Wanted" reveals very thought-provoking lyrics and a strong piano riff. A fun song, "Colours of Friends and Places" is like listening to a description of an odd cast of characters in a trashy novel.

"We would sit for hours in the kitchen by the window drinking coffee from a silver spoon, under a silver moon" is one of the more outstanding lines in "A Rose In My Book". A romantic song with a romantic sound.

"That's Life" uses a raw sound and a great breakout guitar riff at the end to take the listener on what sounds like a painful journey of the songwriter's past.

"Everything Must Change" is a reflection on a relationship that has lasted many years and has endured many changes. Such lines as "years are only days holding the seconds of each passing hour" make us realize that our time spent in relationships is truly short. The final original track, "Everybody Sing" expresses the passing of time and life, truly revealing the songwriter's love for his craft with the line "if I had to do this over, I would do it all again".

In addition to the twelve original tracks, "Wonderland" is also graced with four bonus tracks. On this particular edition we can hear "Healing Hands", a powerful anthem of pro-activism and anti-racism, originally released from Frew's debut CD "Hold On" in 1994. Listeners will enjoy the classic "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone) done with a gospel touch. "Falling At Your Feet", although a song filled with high emotion, guilt and remorse, is quite possibly the most beautiful love song I have ever heard. The CD is completed with a cool rap rendition of "Healing Hands".

A truly remarkable album. Everyone should own this one. Beautiful lyrics and catchy tunes. Alan proves he is one of the most talented performers to ever grace the earth.

Alan Frew's "Wonderland" is a musical masterpiece. The music draws you in and binds you to its passion, depth and beauty. It has a pure, natural sound with intense, heartfelt lyrics sung by that incredibly versatile, mesmerizing voice. Alan Frew's passion for music is evident and leaves you breathless. Listening to Wonderland is an emotional jouney that you wish would never end!

After buying this CD, and listening to each song in terms of melody and lyrically, I got a better sense of Alan Frew, and what he is about. Some of the songs, such as "Mother", I could relate to, and other songs gave me the emotions of sadness, joy
and pain. It captures you by the soul and let's you explore his musical journey. A CD worth the time to buy and listen to .

Iam a Glass Tiger Fan since 1991, when I have seen him 11 times in a row in my hometown Munich/Germany. For those who don't know - this is Alan Few's (the singer of Glass Tiger) second solo record and I have to say that his voice is simple the best for me and this record makes me happy :-)) So pls give it a try, you would be never, never regret it or get disapointed. So let's check it out, you will love his CD "Wonderland". Could I vote more than 5 stars I would do it at once......

I was at cdn idol, and let me say that alan Frew's ego is larger than him(i'm only 5'11" and i was like a foot taller than him) his gorgeous wife/manager must get the money(although how much can be left having a hit 18 yrs ago?) anyway, i think '80's bands should stay there, and be regarded now as a novelty. any person who has tried to rekindle their career(corey hart, cydi lauper, inxs(without michael hutchence) have proven themselves to be pathetic has-beens. Sure we all want glory, but once it goes, leave it alone. Whenever former hit-makers try to rekindle the flame by performing their old hits(emphasise on old) they sound maturated, but not in the good way. They should open a business, or produce music, as opposed to trying to relive old glory!