Open Wide This Window, the Word Records debut of Glassbyrd, (the husband/wife team of Christine Glass and Mark Byrd) sure does not sound like a typical praise album. Hence, its appeal. Separating itself from the majority of worship music doled out to the churched faithful, Open Wide This Window offers thirteen tracks of well-crafted praise pop that avoids the trite and accentuates the profound.
Co-produced by the Choir's Steve Hindalong and Byrd, this album features the foundation of Byrd's signature guitar work, and the velvety, sometimes spacey, lyrics of Glass. Byrd adds his own melancholy, world-weary vocals to the project and they serve as an effective counterpart to Glass' lilting contributions.
Veteran song writers both, Glass and Byrd produce lyrics that are accessible, yet articulate. Penning such artful lyrics as, "If you look within my friend, I see holy things, Faith and hope begin, however thin , These are holy things," they set a tone for deeper introspection.
Standout tracks include the happy, hopeful "Weight of the World" and the driving "Wake Up." My only complaint is the unnecessary addition to this album is the ubiquitous "God of Wonders," already a church worship favorite. Aside from this slight shortcoming, this album is a needed addition to ranks of the praise album.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2003Reviewed by David MartinSo who remembers Christine Glass? Nobody? Okay, how about Common Children? Still nobody? Okay, how about the song "God of Wonders"? Yeah, that's what I thought. Sometimes an artist can toil in relative obscurity for years despite garnering a lot of critical acclaim. And sometimes, all it takes is one really good song to jettison that artist out of the dark corners of the music industry and into…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Tony LaFianzaMarc Byrd is an accomplished songwriter, producer, singer, and musician. He's married to Christine Glass, another accomplished songwriter, singer, and performer. With all that talent and gifting in one house, something pretty special comes out of the front door, or in this case, out of the window. Byrd was the leader of alternative rock band Common Children and Glass comes from her own…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Jeff ElbelMarc Byrd gained notice with Common Children, releasing two LPs on the Tattoo label before independently releasing The In-Between Time in 2001. Christine Glass also released her alt-pop debut Human on Tattoo, followed by Rustproof's Love and Poverty, co-produced by Byrd. Now married, the pair have found success writing/producing/performing with the gospel market's City on a Hill series. Open Wide…Similar sounding releases
2002David CrowderCan You Hear Us?
2005Tom WehrleRoom to Dream
2005ColdplayX&Y
2004Jason MorantAbandon
2003The PerishersLet There Be Morning
2000The JayhawksSmile
