Search - Glassbyrd :: Open Wide This Window

This is a very solid first album for this new duo!

John Matlock | St. Louis, MO USA | 02/13/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"GlassByrd is the husband/wife duo of Marc Byrd (co-wrote "God of Wonders") and Christine Glass, who recorded briefly for Tattoo Records a few years ago. Byrd also fronted a band called Common Children who recorded independently for Tattoo and Galaxy21."Open Wide this Window" is a solid first effort. The sound of the record is definitely alterna-pop/power pop. This is a very worshipful/meditative album, lyrically speaking. A highlight comes quickly with "Tonight (I Want to Live in your World...)" which is as good a pop love song as anything else on the radio today. Other standout tracks include "I Stand Amazed" and a ravishing new arrangement of the ubiquitous "God of Wonders."I bought the record because I liked the sound of the last Common Children record and also because Steve Hindalong co-produced (i'm a Choir fan from way back). Byrd and Glass both have great voices that hook the listener right away.A little more variance in the song tempos would have been nice and the vocals are a little weak in spots but overall I like the record.The patient listener who listens all the way to the end of the record is treated to a rather spine-tingling finish, and that's all I'm going to say 'bout that "

I hate to say it, but...

Pamela Hill | Raleigh, NC | 06/04/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I guess I found this album disappointing because I love Common Children's "Delicate Fade" and "The Inbetween Time" and was expecting something as exceptional here. Well, let it be said that they worship God and get an automatic 5 stars for that. But style-wise, it's comparable to anything on K-Love and rather boring. Mark Byrd's voice is always beautiful, but his down-trodden style is a horrible fit for a peppy song like "Wake Up," and Christine Glass, unfortunately, sounds like she's trying to hit each note prettily, which leaves out emotion entirely.So if you like what they play on the radio, get this because it does have very nice "contemporary Christian" songs. But if you're a Common Children or "alternative Christian" fan, this probably won't suit you."