There is the Philip Glass the opera composer and film track composer, but there is also Philip the songwriter. "Songs From Liquid Days" is an album made in 1986, at the height of his fame/talents with respect to doing the perfection that is the "Mishima" soundtrack score. Glass approached Paul Simon, David Byrne, Suzanne Vega, and Laurie Anderson to write lyrics to his set of music that are songs that stand by themselves and not part of an opera or any other project. So essentially this is his first 'pop' album.
"Songs From Liquid Days" is stamped inside my memory banks, and all I have to do is look at the song list that's on this album, and I immediately can hear it just by looking at the text. Six long songs that are at times danceable, but often hauntingly beautiful. Glass is a great melodist, and the songs here are majestic, which is a great source of inspiration as the day turns into dark.
It is also very New York City 1986, due that the lyricists were at their height of songwriting powers or reputation. "Changing Opinion" is a fantastic Paul Simon lyric that is more of his observational works where he comments on the moments of the day. I think in his own fashion, was trying to be a minimalist! Laurie Anderson is also an observational writer, and this is one theme that seems to be running through all the songs. The songs not surprisingly have a Broadway aesthetic. Still, it's Glass' melodies that are the shining stars.
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