Reformation Living The Dream CD

Darker, grittier, more intense, and more mysterious than The Reformation’s previous work, the EP Living the Dream is a new direction for the band. “My music has always had darker undertones,” says Seattle songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Westin Glass, “but the last record [2007’s The Floral War] had this pop sound that sort of obscured that. For this one, I wanted to move more into a heavy, intense sound, and express feelings of frustration and hopelessness.”Recorded with and mixed by Chris Common of These Arms Are Snakes, Living the Dream absolutely accomplishes that intention. While Glass’ trademark multitracked vocal harmonies and jangling pop guitars remain, those harmonies now sound haunting and hollow, and the guitars have taken on a more ragged edge. On the record’s opening track, “Gold Dust,” the chorus guitars--savagely raked, distorted almost to the point of speaker damage--nearly drown out Glass’ ghostly voice.The songs on Living the Dream, like those on The Floral War, are guitar- and drum-driven, and focus on the interplay between the guitar melodies, John Bagley’s bass lines, and the ever-driving drums (played by Glass and expertly captured by Common). Essentially based in classic pop structures and melodies, the songs are listenable and memorable, even catchy, while leaving a distinct impression on the listener’s psyche.