Will Hick ‘27
Staff Writer
I am back again for another classic rock album review. And no, I was not canceled for my last edition, which reviewed Folklore by Taylor Swift (phew!). In this article, I will listen to and review Billy Joel’s seventh studio album, Glass Houses. Released in 1980, Joel wanted to make his concerts more lively with songs that have a kick to them, steering away from tracks like “Vienna” and “She’s Always a Woman.” Growing up admiring Billy Joel, this album always struck me differently, with more of a ‘poppy’ feel than his other albums.
On Side A, “You May Be Right” begins the album with the sound of glass shattering, which is fitting as the album cover is Joel preparing to throw a rock through a glass house. The first song is about Joel looking for love despite his reckless tendencies. This track already starts the album with a lot of energy with a catchy chorus compared to his other albums. Similarly, “Sometimes a Fantasy” continues to be just as energetic and works well following the previous song. “Don’t Ask Me Why” is one of my favorites, although it slows down the tempo slightly. This song illustrates inevitable situations that common people go through every day, and Joel offers no reason or answer as to why they occur. Next, “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” shows how Joel was significantly impacted by the music he listened to as a child and how it will never lose its integrity. The final song on this side, “All for Leyna,” is about how he would give everything in his life for the girl, Leyna, that he refers to throughout the entire first half of the album. This track uses an upbeat electronic piano to further engage the audience.
Onto Side B, “I Don’t Want to Be Alone” begins with a slow jazz buildup but transitions into a fast, easily attainable chorus. The next song continues with a similar beat and makes me want to sing with him. “Sleeping With the Television On” is about another woman, Diane, who was sending Joel mixed signals that led him not to make a move. This track completely fits the vibe of the album with its catchy chorus and energetic tempo. However, “C’etait toi (You Were the One)” does not fit this vibe at all, though its story perfectly follows the previous song. Returning with energy, “Close to the Borderline” is iconically groovy and shows the struggles of living in New York City in the 70s. The album’s final song is titled “Through the Long Night” and concludes with a gentle story about how he found someone with similar experiences.
Overall, this album brought nothing other than contentment to me. Through its positive vibe and continuous story, this album kept me entertained and eager for the next songs. The lyrical spotlight of the week is “Don’t wait for answers, just take your chances, don’t ask me why.” These lyrics show his audience not to let outside noise or actions determine what is necessary; taking action for what you believe in is essential. This album receives a solid score of 9/10, losing a point due to the dramatic change in vibes throughout multiple songs. If you need a new song to tap your foot to or even sing under your breath in Cool Beans, Glass Houses will have what you are searching for.
Featured image Courtesy of Amazon
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