THE GLASS HOTEL TAPES

A Hotel in Berlin, known as The Glass Hotel is no longer active, but in 2004 something weird happened. I don't know whether the story told by Johnny Bob (a band, not an individual) is true. I have done some researches on the web but I haven't found anything about some Sofie Conrad. Anyway, in order to understand the concept, you must know that this woman who was part of the US representative at the Kyoto objectives meeting in 2004 suddenly vanished leaving scripts, draws and recorded tapes in the hotel room. For more information check the album page on Bandcamp.

The album is opened by a mini-suite in two parts: "Shallow the Nykr". A Nykr is a legendary being from the Germanic peoples mythology. It's a sort of shapeshifting spirit of the water living in rivers and lakes who likes grabbing people and make them sink to the bottom. He also plays the violin, so to resemble a sort of lake's mermaid. The first part of the suite is instrumental and functions as ouverture. The influence of Genesis is undoubtable even if not as derivative as in the early Marillion. After 4:30 minute the second part, with lyrics starts. The strong German accent of the singer Carsten Díaz raises memories of Eloy. The music is slow and sad, mainly keyboards driven and effectively the influence of Eloy is evident but with the addition of a Steve Rothary's like guitar. The organ, instead, makes me think to Goblin and their horror soundtracks. A good mixture, a sort of synthesis of what neo-prog is expected to be.

From second track, Night of the Prom (I assume it means "promenade") on it's very different. Based mainly on major chords the band walks through a more "standard" neo prog, still maintaining a bit of Eloy flavor. Paper Monkeys has the power of resounding in your head after just one listen. Following, "Mr Genghis Comes To Town" is clearly influenced by early Genesis but the strong German accent of the singer makes it sound unique.

Influences apart, I have to say that the production is good and the band sounds very skilled. A mention is deserved by the keyboardist who is able to find the right sounds for the right moments, moving from Vangelis to Rick Wakeman.

Another reference to the Nordic mythology: "Kicker of Faye" is a ballad in the style of Anthony Phillips. I would like to be able to make a deeper analysis of the lyrics: it's a sort of story but I can't get it fully. Faye is the Norse version of the Greek goddess Venus.

"Berlin Ahead" is uptime, a bit of rock before the mesmerizing closer. It brings me memories of The Geese and the Ghost in terms of "pastoral feeling". A sort of last goodbye by the main character: "All the roads - have led to nowhere I'd like to let you know that I still care...My name is Conrad, I am guided by voices".

I wish I knew more about this story, I don't even know if it's just fantasy or a true story. In any case it's a good concept album that will surely appeal to neo-proggers.