Unruly Child - Our Glass House

Released 4/12/20

Album review by; DeeDee 

 

You have to go back to 1991 to find the origins of Unruly Child, although the debut album that introduced us to Mark Free and company, didn’t surface until 1992. However, the band was short-lived and went their separate ways just a year later. Over the years there have been attempts to re-establish the band; Kelly Hansen came in as vocalist for the ‘Waiting For The Sun’ album in 1998, but again there were problems that were hard to overcome. It wasn’t until 2010 and the signing to Frontiers records, that Unruly Child finally returned to the scene. Since the new partnership, the band has produced 3 albums and now in 2020 we have another. Back on board is Mark Free; the transgender singer is now Marcie Michelle Free. Joining Marcie are fellow originals, Guy Allison on Keys and guitarist Bruce Gowdy. Drummer Jay Schellen has been enlisted, along with fretless bass supremo, Tony Franklin (Blue Murder, The Firm).     

 

‘Poison Ivy’ starts in true Unruly Child fashion, pounding guitar with mellow chords and smooth vocals address the lyrics. The harmonies are precise and the song rolls along to gently ease you into ‘Our Glass House’. I find the mix slightly off, until I turn up the volume, then all is well, obviously this album is meant to be played loud! ‘Say What You Want’ carries on with the flow, crashing and thumping, it’s in your face stadium AOR. ‘Glasshouse’ confirms that Free hasn’t lost much range, it remains extremely clean and sharp, taking this slower track and handling it with so much delicacy. The following ‘Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead’ begins with a more moody feel. Then it develops into a chugging anthem, with more harmonies and blasting into several directions. I really admire the song writing of Gowdy and Allison, each composition they put together has a story line that creates a vivid picture in your mind. This track is particularly poignant with lines such as  ‘’Another Soldier, braving the odds on a desolate hill. Or a stowaway on the Titanic, descending below the waterline’, invigorating stuff. ‘Talked You Out Of Loving Me’ is another with fabulous lyrics and gentle harmony. It’s just an amazing love song, with a melody that tugs at your heart strings. The theme continues with ‘Underwater’ and ‘Catch Up To Yesterday’, intricate, yet graceful and simply beautiful. 

 

The intro to ‘Freedom Is A Fight’ is Spanish influenced, classical guitar from Gowdy, which is stunning. Then the song whirls up in tempo and fuses into a multi-segmented piece. Quite clever and the combined result is truly brilliant. ‘The Wooden Horse’ is an increase in lift and we get higher vocals from Free. More impressive lyrics and there’s more punishing bass and keyboards. It certainly grows in stature as it reaches its mid point; there is an upsurge of masterful strokes from the rhythm side, giving it more edge. I definitely think Unruly Child have made a great comeback and the final new track ‘We Are Here To Stay’ endorses my thoughts. A solid and zestful number that’s a message to those that have any lingering doubts.  

 

The last two on the album are ‘To Be Your Everything 2020’ and ‘Let’s Talk About Love 2020’ and as the titles suggest these are both re-worked. Actually, both are from the 92 eponymous debut, which itself was re-mastered in 2015. These newer versions have plenty of the essence and structure of the originals, but the Unruly Child has matured and delivered a brace of symphonic serenades fit for 2020. For those who adore melodic rock and AOR in its most splendid form, then look no further than Unruly Child. Nearly 30 years of experience and creativity has provided us with a band that have come in from the cold and are now leading contenders to rule their genre. 

 

4/5 

 

Tracklist:

 

Poison Ivy

Say What You Want

Our Glass House

Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead

Talked You Out Of Loving Me

Underwater

Catch Up To Yesterday

Freedom Is A Fight

The Wooden Monster

We Are Here To Stay

To Be Your Everything 2020

Let’s Talk About Love 2020

 

Line-up:

Marcie Free – Vocals

Bruce Gowdy - Guitars, keyboards, vocals

Guy Allison - Keyboards, percussion, vocals

Tony Franklin – Bass

Jay Schellen – Drums

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https://www.facebook.com/unrulychildband

 

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