Canadian 80’s hit-makers Glass Tiger have announced the release of a new studio album celebrating the band’s 3 plus decade-long career.
The release, aptly titled 31, was recorded last year – 31 years after the release of their debut album The Thin Red Line. The 1986 release spawned the #2 hit “Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone” (with backing vocals by Bryan Adams) and the Top 10 hit “Someday”. In 1987, it secured the band a GRAMMY nomination for Best New Artist.
31 years seems an odd milestone to celebrate, however the band missed the 30-year mark when lead singer Alan Frew suffered a stroke in 2015 and underwent an intense year of rehab.
But 31 isn’t your typical anniversary release anyway. It’s a completely new album featuring 11 of the band’s songs “re-imagined with traditional acoustic instruments”. It also features two new tracks including “Fire It Up” (co-written by Frew and previously recorded by Joe Cocker).
So while “Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone” and “Someday” were classic feel-good pop rock party tunes in their original forms, the 2018 versions are more Adult Contemporary with a Celtic feel – a nod to Frew’s Scottish roots.
Julian Lennon makes an appearance on the album, lending vocals to “Thin Red Line”.
80’s fans will find the album a departure from the Glass Tiger they remember, but it’s nice to see an anniversary celebrated with something other than a re-issue. The album also features four of the band’s original five members.
31 is due out February 16th.
31 Track Listing:
1. Someday
2. Animal Heart
3. Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)
4. I Will Be There
5. My Town
6. Diamond Sun
7. Rescued by the Arms
8. My Song ft. Alan Doyle
9. I’m Still Searching
10. Thin Red Line ft Julian Lennon
11. Fire It Up
12. Wae Yer Family ft Johnny Reid
13. Healing Hands
14. Someday ft Véronic DiCaire
15. Diamond Sun ft Susan Aglukark & David R. Maracle
