THE INCONSOLABLE SECRET

The Inconsolable Weakness of Double Albums: the holy grail of prog that leads believers astray like a false prophet.

On the plus side, Glass Hammer - at its best - sounds straight up like Yes' "Going for the One" - and that's a very good thing. Lots of big organs, tasty pedal steel guitar, thick bass, etc. The main difference between mid-70s Yes and GH is the singer is more like Trevor Rabin, and the lyrics - to an excess - focus on medieval tales of knights and dragons, etc. However, these are small flaws for keeping 70s-style prog alive and well in the 21st century.

The main problem with this release is the double CD format. Like Yes (Topographic Oceans), Genesis (Lamb Lies Down on Broadway), and ELP (Works), the double album never brings out the best in a prog band. Sadly, many prog fans fall for this trick and think these albums are the artists' best works. I would vote, instead, for "Close to the Edge," "Selling England by the Pound," and "Brain Salad Surgery," respectively. And lest we forget, band members themselves often regret doubles - Topo caused Rick Wakeman to quit Yes, frustrated Chris Squire, etc.

Like their 70s gurus, one can only assume GH sat down and decided "let's make a double," as opposed to "let's make the best music we can." He who does not learn from the past is condemned to repeat it, and filler abounds on "The Inconsolable Secret."

And the result: more puff and filler than the Pillsbury dough boy, in particular on disc one, which consists of two "epics" of inconsolable and unending length. I can barely remember a melody or flashy chop - and I don't know if I can sit through it again.

If you're new to GH, I would start with Lex Rex - truly amazing. You might enjoy some of this album if - like Topo, Lamb and Works - you're willing to expect one album's worth of good material spread out over two discs.