XYRA: Through The Dark Glass Shining
by Michael Macey
Xyra has made an epic sounding record with Through The Dark Glass Shining. Prog rock meets mystical siren. With a voice that’s a cross between Patti Smith and Marianne Faithful, it brings a mysterious quality to the production that helps transcend the somewhat cryptic quality of the lyrical content.
Xyra exudes a spirituality that is somewhere between here and there and she conveys that with lyrics like “Chaos in search of meaning, you hold me dear/Water’s edge in your direction, Ancient stair” from Chaos In Search Of Meaning and “Liquid light, mine tonight/Dangerous liaison, caught in the web/lost in the thought of fateful endeavor” from Liquid Light. Coupled with the melodies she weaves and that voice, in the context of the songs they make perfect sense. Lets just say that the lyrical content of Through The Dark Glass Shining is always entertaining, sometimes cryptic and certainly worth a listen.
Sweeping arrangements give the whole thing a very grand sound that at times seems to jump right out at you.
Xyra shows her knack for Adult Contemporary with a tune like Only, a radio ready song that would make a great single. It’s a catchy mid-tempo number that features some excellent guitar work from Jeff Spencer and a too short killer sax riff from Don Stapleson. The production on some of the songs borders on bombastic, it’s where I hear that prog rock connection, which actually sounds very good in an updated way.
The players, all very talented but too numerous to mention, back Xyra with a thick sound full of energy. Through The Dark Glass Shining is one of the more enigmatic released I’ve heard in a while. Don’t spend a lot of time trying to decipher, just listen and enjoy.
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Michael Macey is perhaps best known as a featured announcer on WRNR FM, in Annapolis Maryland. During his 10 year stint at 'RNR, he did much to enhance the quality of music presented, both from commercial and local music sectors. Often, you would find Michael acting as sound engineer for Damian Einstein's local music show, Damian's Diner, supporting Indie artists such as Xyra.
After 'RNR was sold in 2004, many changes occurred that seemed to negate the homespun feeling of the radio station Michael so nurtured and loved. Currently, as his decided mode of expression, Michael plays his own music and writes reviews and articles. Xyra keeps in touch, and is grateful for his many contributions to music, including radio, online and print media.
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Through the Dark Glass Shining
