22nd July 2025

Review: “House Of Glass” by Tallboy

For four seasons comprising a grand total of ninety six episodes running between 20th September 2005 and 14th May 2009 we were glued to screens watching the hilarious situation comedy that is My Name Is Earl. During the introduction sequence, Jason Lee describes his character as “The shifty-looking guy at the convenience store who buys a packet of smokes, lottery tickets, and a “Tall Boy” early in the morning”. A reference to the hangover cure that is hair of the dog, it’s a curiosity that may or may not at the root of how Northern Alternative Metal act Tallboy found their name but it’s fun none the less. The band promise haunting vulnerability and raw emotion combined with intense riffage as they offer us debut EP “House Of Glass“, a five track affair inked by vocalist Brad Crook, bassist Arron Ward-Twinney, drummer Callum Warren and guitarist duo Jordan Gelling and Adam Twinney…

Programmed 90’s break beats launches us head first into “Insomnia“, a cut with a funky bassline that crosses Metal sub-genres in giant death defying leaps. Rapid fire riffs and the kind of energy usually associated with the likes of Seething Akira put Crook’s angst laden roar in a choke hold, the freedom of the guitars and bounce of the bass mimicking the brains activities on those sleepless nights. After that infectious introduction “Snake” twists and contorts with heavy riffs and some Danny Worsnop inspired clean vocal lines. Those formulate part of the chorus, giving a sing-a-long aspect to the cut which is otherwise soaked in harsh unclean lyrical narrative. If the title doesn’t give it away, it’s about a snake in the grass who has crossed the band at some point along their journey although it’s one of those which you can very much make your own. The flow of chunky riffs continues into “Name & Shame“, during which vocally Crook sounds almost unhinged as he switches between styles and voices almost line by line. His caustic unclean moments are shrill and venomous, the introduction of a few whispered moments giving this one a sinister edge. Arguably the track with the most melodic bridge, this one pushes threatens to burst into Alternative Rock but doesn’t quite go that far, the heavier parts pulling it back in just enough time.

Racing to the grave “Ego Trip” breaks the melodic chains with Tallboy coming out swinging, buzzsaw riffs and some brutal vocals flipping the script almost entirely… until a clean vocal passage in the mid-section, followed by a slick pick slide (who doesn’t love a pick slide?) that eventually reaches the dark waters of screams over a breakdown. A glorious tune that borders on insanity, its one you have to give a little time to in order to fully embrace the lyrical narrative. Perhaps more direct “Pressure Point” has arena filling sing-a-long parts as well as a Primus inspired bassline, the politically charged and socially aware lyrical narrative about collapsing structures thought-provoking. At times aching and melancholic the track then explodes in the final few seconds with a Grindcore inspired ravenous hunger for which is pays to expect the unexpected. On this evidence, like Destrage before them Tallboy have the power to be a gateway band if they continue with their unconventional, eclectic and eccentric stylings, however as extremes push out there might be the temptation to move closer to the melodies or go all out Screamo [7.5/10]

Track Listing