Glass Eye review of Ancient Voices EP, May 2001

(uncensored, mind you.....)

Glinda’s Bubble
Ancient Voices EP (Self-released)
3.5 EYES

For the uninitiated, Glinda’s Bubble is a Toledo-based band fronted by
singer/song-writer/guitarist Phyllis Dwyer, and Ancient Voices is the
band’s follow-up release to last year’s Behind the Moon EP I reviewed a
while back. Although I had previously heard Glinda’s Bubble’s name
mentioned around town for quite some time, it wasn’t until I heard them
playing at an outdoor art festival late last year that I had actually
heard them. After watching their set, I was fairly impressed with both
their well-written songs as well as Dwyer’s melodic vocals, and I’ve
been keeping occasional tabs on the band ever since.

One of my only complaints concerning their first EP was the poor
production quality that virtually smothered the emotion and soul the
band put forth in their songs. Well, I glad to report that the band has
corrected this problem on Ancient Voices, and the result is simply
breathtaking. The more I listen to this CD, the more of the power and
emotion behind these acoustic-based songs seeps out, and the more I want
to listen to it. (Seriously, people: if you’re in a band and want to
record/release a CD, work your asses off so you can afford good
production. Good production results in a better-sounding CD. Mind you,
I’m not trying to be a preacher, but I’ve seen shoddy production work
kill many good bands’ careers before they even started. But I digress

One of this CD’s biggest strengths is the crystal-clear sound of the
songs, which, when combined with the occasional keyboards and overdubs,
pushes this album to the next level especially on songs like
"Incoming" and "Fatal Flaw." These songs in particular are just ...
amazing.

On the critical side, I felt that some of the songs ran a little too
long (which, now that I’m thinking of it, may have been my only other
complaint with the first EP). However, other than that, this CD is a
pretty worthy investment. Sure, astute listeners may pick-up on the
influence the Cranberries and Alanis Morrissette’s latest album have had
on Dwyer quicker than others, but if you’re going to be listen to music
by popular female singers, these are probably two of the best places to
turn ... along with Glinda’s Bubble’s Ancient Voices EP, of course.

Aaron Weisbrod, for the Glass Eye, May 2001