Adam Kagan - Glass

Adam Kagan

Glass
self-released; 2016

​4.0 out of 5

By April H

Glass is a solo project from Adam Kagan out of Toronto. The concept is simple, an ode to winter of sorts with songs that transport the listener to a far off cloud of snow and at times icy emotions. While for many the winter months can mean a depressed state at times, these songs gave us just enough interest and nostalgia to keep it interesting. The inspiration for the songs and the overall album came from the painting that would become the cover, which was painted by Kagan's sister.

The opening and title track “Glass” was skillful and transfixing as the musical background felt as if you would actually feel the snow falling, and the lyrics seemed to be tied to a balance between a joyful love a child would feel for a snow day and that sting of adulthood seeing ice as glass. The melodic and playful music was balanced by the imagery of the glass covered outdoors keeping most inside until the storm passes. It seemed to also give a bit of traction to the idea that while many suffer during the winter months, waiting out the storm is always better than merely giving up. The playful addition of the simulated snow falling behind the lyrics gave the title track a rhythmic Motown feel.

“Ahead is the Rising Sun” backed away from the Motown feel with a focus on a solid guitar track and sweet lyrics. This was one of my favorite songs of the set, with it easily lending itself to a fireside acoustic set. I enjoyed the underlying message of the song with again the focus being using the dark winter months and a forward glance to sunnier times as a metaphor for life. “Cabin in the Snow” would continue this set of stories.

There was a certain level of sadness under current in some of the songs and instrumental styling, including the “Dyin” track. I enjoyed the ease of this song, it seemed to be rooted heavily in some classic rock styling with a splash of soul. “No Surprise” was slightly more upbeat in pace but the same theme teetering between the gloom of winter and hope in times to come was prevalent.

The story behind the set seems to come to a peak in “Old Anne Maggie” where we hear a bit of a folk influence mixed with classic rock as the focus becomes the background details of the stories. I enjoyed the fact that all of these tracks seemed to weave an interesting story and I could see these tracks becoming part of a movie soundtrack or even a few of them making interesting theme songs for other entertainment ventures.
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Each track on this album was carefully contructed to be a part of the bigger set, but also made great stand alone songs. I enjoyed the more heartfelt songs like “Bend Your Light” as well as the opening tracks playful undertones. The album had depth and variety while still feeling familiar enough to have something for everyone.

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