TEST SPINS | Billy Joel: ‘Glass Houses’

I know what you’re thinking: Glass Houses (1980)? Not The Stranger (1977), or 52nd Street (1978), or even Piano Man (1973)? I get it — those are his most popular records and contain some of his most iconic songs. But I’d like to make a case for Glass Houses. In a scathing 1980 review of the album, Rolling Stone’s Paul Nelson wrote: “Joel sings in a voice that’s pushy and bossy and whiny at the same time, like a rush-hour bus driver bawling out his hapless, weary passengers.” He went on to say that “his material’s catchy…but then, so’s the flu.” I’ll admit, Glass Houses is an interesting take on the development of rock and roll music.