13 Song Work of Art
author: Colorado Music Buzz Magazine
Denver-based band December Question, one of the sole female-fronted bands to launch its way to the finals of the 2006 Coors New Sound Throwdown, has confirmed their standing with their first full-length rich CD,
"Stained Glass Eyes". After the very dedicated blood, sweat and tears that were poured into this well-crafted enigma, "Stained Glass Eyes" was proudly
released to a full house of eager supporters at Denver's Oriental Theater on March 31, 2006.
The introduction to this 13-song work of art is "My Name is Joan". The melodic flow flavored with Becky Alter's alluring lead vocals and Cameron Hays's solid bass, roars into a poignant chorus. A stunning
diversion to Sarah Forsythe's cello tells the listener that they're in for a journey. "Clicking of the Clocks" is unified with a mystical weeping cello and
Alter's Grace Slick-style vocals tinged with an acoustic Heart-like feel. "House that Hubris Built" leaves a resonating chorus in your noggin' that could
last for days, and "Left-Handed Lover" collectively demonstrates the savvy engineering and experimental mixes mastered by Colorado's own Globalsound Studio. This delicious compilation of "Stained Glass Eyes"
makes you want to see December Question live and experience the ride first-hand.
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Critics Choice
author: Westword Magazine
The December Question has come a long way since forming in 2003. Early on, the band's acoustic-driven pop was largely centered around singer/guitarist Becky Alter (a former Westword account executive), whose raspy, robust vocals recalled Janis Joplin filtered through Melissa Etheridge. Since then, the core duo of Alter and co-founder/bassist Cameron Hays has taken a darker turn and carved out a sound that conjures Jefferson Airplane after receiving a Dead Can Dance-like deconstruction. On Stained Glass Eyes, the act's debut (due to be released this Friday, March 31st, at the Oriental Theater), there's still a handful of sunnier compositions, such as "I Need You," "Awake in this Dream" and "Time to Go (Dozen Roses)," and Alter's voice maintains a slight rasp. Stained's most intriguing moments, though come courtesy of dirgy, overcast tracks such as "My Name is Joan," "Promises" and, especially, "Clicking of the Clocks," in which Alter's delivery uncannily resembles Grace Slick's. Overall, with the addition of drummer James Crutchfield and cellist Sarah Forsythe, whose playing adds a welcomed spectral dimension to the proceedings, the quartet seems infinitely closer to finding the answer to whatever December's question may be.
-Dave Herrera, Westword
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