Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Glowhouse

Glowhouse
The Shadows Left Me Alive

Album length: 8 tracks: 41 minutes, 56 seconds
Street Date: July 25, 2012


Come&Live! artist Levi the Poet has been busy writing his new album this year, and for the studio time, he's teamed up with a friend of his named Alexander Sugg (who is actually recording the album for Levi). In addition to recording other people's albums, Sugg happens to create terrific music of his own under the name Glowhouse, the latest collection of which is called The Shadows Left Me Alive.

Using the term "electronic" generally brings to mind an upbeat, fast-paced sound, a la techno or electropop. Such is not the case with The Shadows Left Me Alive. It never really picks up, sticking to easy-listening melodies and calm, soothing vocals. The term "indie" actually plays just about as big a part in describing Sugg's music as "electronic" does. While there is ample use of drum machine, keys and some expertly-executed auto-tune, "Secret Bruises" has its fair share of electric guitar (in the vein of My Epic or Abel), and "Featherbody" keeps tempo with some beautiful acoustic guitar playing. Finding a balance between electronic and indie can be very difficult, but with the music of Glowhouse, it's safe to say that Sugg has found an excellent balance. Another great example of this balance is the song "Eyes Like Mine," as well as the end of "A Saint Dressed In Fog," where we hear a little bit of contained screaming from Sugg. The vocal effect keeps it from being too overbearing for the music, but it actually sounds great, considering screaming over electronic music isn't a combination you hear much of.

"Featherbody" features some local flavor, with guest vocals from LindsayJayne, a sister indie/pop duo that also calls Albuquerque home. The girls' voices are beautiful; you know that Eisley-esque angelic voice that makes single guys swoon? Yeah, that's what they add to this song. Delightful, harmonic, and a little bit vintage, their voices in conjunction with the acoustic guitar and overall feel of the song make it a definite highlight of the album. Another highlight is "Stay," which has many parts that will get stuck in your head, including the aforementioned usage of auto-tune. Sugg doesn't overdo auto-tune, but instead uses it to enhance the melodies of certain parts of the song. And it actually does enhance the song, unlike many, many other artists that use it in such a way that completely ruins their credibility.

While the album maintains its slow and steady approach to electronic music, The Shadows Left Me Alive is still very catchy. It's melodic in sound, with music that has obviously been very lovingly-created and cared for by Sugg. If you're not familiar with Glowhouse, it's some of the best independent electronic music you can find. You can get this for whatever amount of money you feel it's worth at his Bandcamp, but regardless of what you pay, it comes with a high recommendation from this reviewer.

- Review date: 11/18/12, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 8 tracks: 41 minutes, 56 seconds
. Street Date: July 25, 2012
. Buy It: Bandcamp

  1. Village (4:16)
  2. Stay (6:08)
  3. Secret Bruises (5:21)
  4. Featherbody (feat. LindsayJayne) (4:21)
  5. Where I Left You (6:02)
  6. Eyes Like Mine (5:11)
  7. A Saint Dressed In Fog (6:06)
  8. Shame (4:34)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images