GOD LIVES UNDERWATER
UP OFF THE FLOOR
David Reilly –vox/multi-instruments
Jeff Turzo – multi-instruments
"Between the record company problems to my fiance’s passing, which were about a week apart, I consider it amazing that my suicide or eventual death did not follow." -- GLU singer David Reilly.
There is really no question of the musical prowess of God Lives Underwater. When SPIN Magazine declared its previous effort, Life In The So-Called Space Age, as "one of the the most underrated and best albums of the year," it came as no shock to the alternative underground. After selling 90,000 copies of Life In The So-Called Space Age, GLU retreated to the studio to make a conscious effort to outdue themselves and helm a pop-driven album; but this was in the year 2000, and it was the height of the internet frenzy. What ensued during that time brought GLU to its knees and has held up one of the alternative world’s most brilliant albums, Up Off The Floor.
Combining alternative elements with a modern sensibility, GLU has created a post-alternative masterpiece. Haunted by the past, yet positive about the future, GLU singer David Reilly has crafted a visionary cycle of songs that will go down in history as a great exploration of the dark and bright sides of humanity – not to mention being a snapshot of the music business and internet frenzy at its worse.
GLU members David Reilly and Jeff Turzo grew up in Pennsylvania and began experimenting with music in high school. After making demos that fell into the hands of producer Rick Rubin, the band released their self-titled EP in 1995 and the follow-up album, Empty on Rubin’s American Records. After establishing an underground following through relentless touring, the band moved to A&M Records and released 1998’s Life In The So-Called Space Age. The breakout hit "From Your Mouth" established the band on alternative radio and MTV alike. After several tours with the likes of No Doubt and Sublime and The Deftones, GLU received critical acclaim for their uncompromising and unique sound. The band went into recording what would be Up Off The Floor sessions in 2000. After finishing the recording the band’s record company, 1500/Riffage Records, went into bankruptcy, leaving GLU caught up in what would be the music industry’s most horrific example of greed and internet bubble-busting. After a few years of legal and business maneuvering, Megaforce and Locomotive Records freed the band out of the bankruptcy.
THE MUSIC
GLU’s past albums were admittedly more experimental and explored futuristic sounds, but Up Off The Floor is a cohesive and pop-driven album with the most intensely emotional lyrics ever recorded. "In an overall sense, Up Off The Floor is the CD that GLU wanted to make since the beginning, but it was impossible because we couldn’t afford that kind of gear, or able to have a producer like Sean Beavin," says singer Reilly. "But I have to say we also grew tremendously as writers and performers. It took some ‘Living’ to write songs like this."
The recording process was unique in that the record was recorded at Jeff’s house, David’s house, a studio called Mouse House, and then at producer Sean Beavin’s house. So a lot of work was going on simultaneously. This is also the first time GLU had an outside producer involved in every aspect of the record. It was a thought to be a return to the beginnings of GLU, but with some of the wisdom acquired during their previous album, Life In The So-Called Space Age. "A lot more time was spent crafting this record. We also had great sounds and spent time making sure they were perfect," says Jeff Turzo. "Plus, others were adding guitars, and Scott Garrett and Drew McGee played on the whole record."
What separates this album as a truly special one are the palpable and heartfelt lyrics. Lyricist David Reilly explores the dark, fragile side of humanity and pours his heart into the hook-laden songs. David is not afraid to dig deep and see what comes out. "I put everything I had into Up Off The Floor, and I think people will connect with that," says Reilly.
David Reilly’s Lyrics:
"The driving impetus for the songs was quite personal. Jeff got married and I tried to get clean. So Jeff and I started out with a very positive writing perspective. My being clean lasted about 3 months and as it deteriorated, the songs became about a struggle and not any kind of victory, and then eventually about a denial and a total loss. In the end though, I think this record is a bit of a catharsis, a releasing, and getting everything out of your system emotionally."
David Reilly remains provocative and brutally honest in his emotions. Songs such as "1%" is a scary statistic about heroin addicts and the probabilities; "72 Hour Hold" is psychiatric jargon for being held against your will. "Take Whatever You Got" is about realizing someone will take anything while riding a train into the ghetto; but what underscores Up Off The Floor is the angle of relationships and what they mean and what they could possibly be. "You Must Understand" and "Tricked" are both about bad affairs and the exploration of feelings.
Combine haunting lyrics with some of the most amazing pop/alternative songs ever written and an arc that begins with despair and ends with "Positivity," and you have one of the finest albums you will hear this year. September 28, 2004 will see the worldwide release of GLU's much anticipated Up From The Floor, on Locomotive/Megaforce Records.
Song List:
1. White Noise
2. Tricked
3. 1% (The Long Way Down)
4. Take Whatever You Got
5. No Way
6. I’m To Blame
7. Waterfalls
8. 72 Hour Hold
9. Miss You More Than Anything
10. Positivity
Discography:
God Lives Underwater EP (American Records 1995)
God Lives Underwater Empty (American Records 1995)
God Lives Underwater Life In The So-Called Space Age (A&M Records 1998)
God Lives Underwater Up Off The Floor (Megaforce 2004)
Soundtracks & Movies:
"No More Love" in Johnny Mnemonic starring Keanu Reeves (1995)
"Tortoise" on National Lampoon’s Senior Trip Soundtrack (1995)
"Weight" on Mortal Combat More Combat Soundtrack (1996)
"Fame" in 15 Minutes starring Robert Deniro(2002) |
