"In a Glass House" is the fifth album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant, released on September 21, 1973. This album features a loosely-structured concept centered around the aphorism "Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." It opens and closes with the sound of breaking glass, reinforcing its thematic focus.
This release marked a significant moment for the band, being their first album after the departure of founding member Phil Shulman. The album showcases Gentle Giant's trademark complexity, incorporating intricate arrangements, diverse instrumentation, and a blend of rock, jazz, and classical influences. Each track explores different facets of the overarching concept, reflecting on themes of perception and hypocrisy.
Notable songs include "The Runaway," "The Queen," and "Experience," all of which highlight the band's virtuosic musicianship and innovative approach to songwriting. In a Glass House remains a significant entry in the Gentle Giant discography, celebrated for its creativity and artistic ambition.
In a Glass House is one of Gentle Giant's most recognized albums, though the band felt pressured during its creation, particularly after Phil Shulman's departure. Initially, it was only available in the U.S. and Canada as a high-priced import, since Columbia Records deemed it uncommercial and subsequently dropped the band. This situation allowed Gentle Giant to regain ownership of their master recordings, paving the way for their first official U.S. release on CD via their own Alucard label in 1992.
The album was later reissued in 2004, including two live recordings from their tour as bonus tracks, followed by a 2005 reissue with an additional live track for the 35th Anniversary series. In 2009, it became available for digital download, featuring different bonus live recordings remastered by Fred Kervorkian under Ray Shulman's supervision. The 40th Anniversary physical reissue in 2013 did not include bonus tracks, but plans were made for vinyl releases of the entire catalog.
Notably, the album concludes with a hidden track titled "Index," which recapitulates themes from earlier songs. The cover art features a striking black-and-white lithograph of the band, layered with clear plastic to evoke the "glass" concept. Despite its rocky reception at the time, In a Glass House has solidified its place in the progressive rock canon.
