GLYDER – Backroads To Byzantium

Just as the cover shows, this new rocking album by Glyder, Backwards To Byzantium, is a hitchhiking course between the Northern European borders (Northern Ireland) and the American shores. This hitch-hike routine shows how Hard Rock music can work with multinational twists, thanks to their new line-up, which includes the next super star in Rock, the Irish Jackie Robinson.  Glyder in many manners resembles ’70s and ’80s legends such as The Eagles, Foreigner, Night Ranger, Magnum, Boston, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple.

Backwards To Byzantium, unlike the debut, is even more rockier. Glyder took a catchier approach that provided their tracks a smooth feel, along with a superb classic vibe in the voice of Jackie Robinson (say hello to Paul Rodgers mixed with Phil Mogg and Sting). Backwards To Byzantium is a great walk through a vintage Hard Rock park.

Other than the vocals, the savvy aspects of this release were mainly concentrated on the lead guitar section between the twin axes, Bat Kinane & Pete Fisher, who played some awesome classic Deep Purple meets Led Zeppelin solo licks. Furthermore, the rocking rhythms were equally great, and thanks to the suitable, yet modern production, Backwards To Byzantium sounds parallel to older classic releases. However, the most impressive aspect of this release is its overall mood. This album sounds as if it has a longing for freedom and free will – it’s a great record to while driving miles anywhere.

Besides the serious sounding “Down & Out” that had the feel of mourning over fallen war heroes, the rest of the release tended more towards the rather positive side of Hard Rock, even with titles such as “Don’t Make Their Mistake” and “Two Wrongs”. Although the majority of riffs were sort of a reprise to things done earlier, those were played great. Same goes for the easy-to-listen choruses. “Even If I Don’t Know Where I’m Gonna Go”, “Fade To Dust”, and “End Of The Line” are the crudest mixes between ’70s and ’80s Hard Rock music. The first-rate quality track “Something She Knows” sounds exactly to what Night Ranger and Foreigner did throughout the ’80s. The harmonic chorus was a highlight, along with the twosome work of Robinson and Kinane. It may not be the next “Sister Christian”, but it sure has a lovely AOR kind of range.

Backwards To Byzantium is a just the thing to put in the car and take a long drive through the country, beach, or anywhere. Its main aspect is its smoothness and incredible Traditional Rock vibe that few bands abide by or have in them to produce.

Tracklist

1. Chronicled Deceit
2. Long Gone
3. Fade to Dust
4. Even If I Don’t Know Where I’m Gonna Go
5. Don’t Make Their Mistake
6. Down & Out
7. Something She Knows
8. Two Wrongs
9. End of the Line
10. Motions of Time

Lineup

Graham McClatchie – Bass
Des McEvoy – Drums
Jackie Robinson – Vocals
Bat Kinane – Guitar / Back Vocals
Pete Fisher – Guitar