2007, Self-released
The debut release from Great Glass Elevator, a four song EP from this Orange County five piece currently on their first tour, sets the band's style up for examination with some success. With some obvious influences — Morrissey and Radiohead are notable on the title track — and some that are buried deeper in the music, Great Glass Elevator, likely named after the famed elevator in Dahl's classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, crafts eclectic but understandable music.
Thankfully, Great Glass Elevator is more than just their influences thrown into a blender (although it would certainly be palatable, given their influences.) Rather, they bring creativity to the floor that is at the forefront of their music. Certainly, the band isn't creating something completely new, and if they were, the resulting sonic sound would likely be difficult to listen to. No, Great Glass Elevator has vocals, a guitar, a bass, a keyboard, and drums, and plays in not entirely unusual formations. They follow convention, but they do so with unmistakably positive results.
Our Hands Turn Into Machines is good, there's no doubting that. Given this is their first real release, there's likely going to be more to see. Considering the group is signed to Atlantic Records, we may have to wait some time before proper, personal attention is paid to their releases — they're no super group, by any means — but, hopefully, when it is, it's treated well. Great Glass Elevator has heaps of potential, and for that to be pushed will be difficult, at the very least.
Our Hands Turn Into Machines is available for download at www.greatglasselevator.com. Photos of Great Glass Elevator performing with Briertone, Peachcake, and Sparrow's Gate in Cedar City, Utah on Mar. 8, 2007 are available in the MusicGeek.org gallery.