Posted: June 16th, 2008
Contributed By: Nick

Overview: Houston-based Glass Intrepid first enrolled in the Lonestar State’s rock music school in the early part of the decade, and have since managed to accrue some refrigerator-worthy accolades. The band has received bukoos of radio play from rock stations all across W’s stompin’ ground, and has shared the stage with such acts as 3 Doors Down, Mudvayne, and Seether to name a few. Glass Intrepid has also won a statewide battle of the bands competition, performed on Warped Tour, and secured management with the notable InDeGoot Entertainment. Glass Intrepid has two albums under their belt, their debut ‘The Best Is Yet to Come‘ and their most recent eponymous effort, released in 2007. The band recently parted ways with their bass player Reed and is currently seeking a replacement.

The Good: If you have had the pleasure of hearing ‘The Best Is Yet to Come‘, then you could back me up when I say that Glass Intrepid ain’t gonna bullshit you. The same is true with ‘Glass Intrepid‘, as the band deliver a seven song helping of healthy rock ‘n roll-no filler, no games, no kidding. The gears on this machine begin to turn with the impassioned vibe of “Till My Heart Stops”, a sensitive, but sturdy opening track of yearning and urgency that wastes no time in getting its feelings off its chest and to your ears. Zippy and consistent, “The Victim” is a nimble hopscotch, packing the poisonous callout hook “whoa oh!” in the chorus that scratches and claws its way into your brain no matter how hard you try to play dumb. Glass Intrepid crack open some cold ones and turn up the radio for “Take You Out”, an fun, upbeat party anthem whose beauty is not nearly as skin deep as its synopsis suggests. Hooky lyrics continue to take their wrath out on the record, showing the driving “Give” no quarter. The song’s soaring chorus can act like its shit doesn’t stink thanks to the unique thumbprint of its verses, a combative implementation of steady rhythm guitars and frenzied leads that makes “Give” reek of independence. “Bring Us a Future” is the dynamic highlight of ‘Glass Intrepid‘, where bass-driven verses and a towering chorus provide for one crisp, clean cut affair. To best enjoy “Livin’ It Up”, get in your car, put the roof down, press your foot on the pedal and cruise down the highway, because this effervescent little guy will provide the suitable soundtrack to your sunny day driving escapade. ‘Glass Intrepid‘ retires with the roar of the punchy “Last Disaster”, the most eloquent and fitting culmination the band could have chosen to end the album. The song is the pinnacle of Glass Intrepid’s gradual and graceful growth in energy, steadily pumping more juice into the tank with each successive track until Bryan’s scathing screams in the bridge of “Last Disaster” tie it all together. Glass Intrepid starts, plays, finishes, and gets off the stage, resisting the urge to bastardize a humble and healthy rock album with all sorts of bells and whistles.

The Bad: Sadly, where Glass Intrepid stands tall is also where they fall hardest. Their straight-ahead, locked in brand of rock might make for an easy listen, but it also bleeds the seven songs of ‘Glass Intrepid‘ together. I have burned through this album a countless number of times, and I still have a difficult time deciphering one song from another overall. The two songs to suffer most are “Take You Out” and “Livin’ It Up”, as their attempts to assert themselves as the dazzling party jams they strive to be are snuffed out because of the oneness and uniformity of ‘Glass Intrepid‘ as a whole. I am a huge fan of Bryan’s vocals, but “Take You Out” would have benefited greatly from a more excitable, pumped up vocal delivery. The album has its shining moments lyrically, but I feel as if the band have sacrificed some of their penmanship in an attempt to give their songs more sing-a-long-ability, making lyrics take one for the team on occasion.

Bottomline: ‘Glass Intrepid‘ rocks. I mean, it does. And Glass Intrepid does a damn good job at sticking to it and not wandering down unfamiliar paths. Their music is blessed by Bryan’s voice in my opinion, whose throaty and raw vocals are worth checking out. While the band may not have laid any new bricks with this effort, they were certain to patch up the roof, clean out the gutters, and buy new patio furniture, building and maturing what they started with ‘The Best Is Yet to Come‘. If cool, sensible rock music is what you desire, then Glass Intrepid is here to serve you.

Rating: 8 out of 10