EP Review: Glass Pieces by Acid Walls
Imbued with ambition, vulnerability, and introspective reflection, Acid Walls' latest EP, "Glass Pieces," released today, delves into themes of despair, longing, and control. Hailing from Hartford, this hard-psychedelic rock quartet, comprised of Elliott Moreau on lead guitar and vocals, Dom Russo on rhythm guitar and vocals, Bailey Packard on bass guitar, and Eli Pidgeon on drums, presents a collection of tracks that promises to captivate audiences with its dynamic range and evocative exploration of the human experience.
The journey begins with Glass Piece Pt.1, serving as the band's sonic introduction to the EP. There is no denying that Acid Walls wears their inspirations on their sleeves, playing off of a diverse array of legendary bands spanning the 60s to the 90s. Glass Piece Pt.1 includes essences of Pink Floyd and Soundgarden that subtly intertwine in the song. It plays like the perfect companion for a solitary long drive, inviting introspection. The delivery of this instrumental piece is nothing short of ambitious, skillfully showcasing the group's technical prowess. Drummer Eli Pidgeon’s unique combination of beats provides a captivating foundation for the dream-like guitar riffs that permeate the track. The pace seamlessly shifts between high-energy moments to a slower, more reserved, and reflective timing, effectively capturing the uncertain dynamics of various interpersonal relationships—a prevalent theme throughout the album.
As an expert follow-up, Glass Piece Pt. 2 follows similar themes, tackling more specific feelings of isolation, control, and devotion. With the inclusion of alien-like guitar melodies, the song is set up to feel isolating. Even as the ascending drum beat tries to lift us out of the darkness, it always keeps us within arms reach. Elliott gives an impressive, emotional vocal delivery on the track, making those vulnerabilities feel all the more authentic. He sings honestly of surrendering himself, his sense of control, over to this individual/idea to be his savior and pull him from the darkness and or loneliness he feels (Save my mind/ Take my mind, take my soul/ Take my mind cause I don’t need it anymore). A very relatable feeling for many, including myself. Sometimes it simply feels easier to devote ourselves to something or someone when we feel lost as a means of trying to find our way back.
A major album highlight for me was the closure track, Jagged Brain. This 5-minute epic explores the painstaking hole that someone you love can leave within you when the relationship has fallen apart. The slow, melodic intro is reminiscent of both the intros to Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box,” however, separates from those tracks as the band sings melancholic harmonies and dives deep into this sense of overwhelming dread. With the help of the track's somber, yet powerful scaling baseline, there is a sense of desperation that rings from Elliott’s tone as he pleads to have the pain from this lost relationship taken away. Even as this person exits the relationship, the feelings left maintain this dysfunctional power imbalance between the two in question (“Don’t you realize you take away the things that make my brain behave.”) leaving one party stranded in despair.
This compelling release not only leaves a lasting impression but also hints at a promising future for Acid Walls in Connecticut’s alternative rock/metal scene. If you’re interested in hearing the EP live, Acid Walls will be having an EP release show tonight (February 16th) at Bleachers Bar in Bristol. The show will also feature other exciting Connecticut acts like Qween Kong, SKAVS, and Soft Spot.
