Glass Hammer!!

Christian wrote: Doeas anyone know if and how to find Glass Hammer lyrics on the web?

Don't know but the lyrics to "Inconsolable Secret" are included as a .pdf file on the first CD.

The ladies of Glass Hammer (for Richardh and indeed...me too!)

Good stuff, The Inconsolable Secret second disk has a bit of filler, but I still like it, but not as much as some of their older work.

Cinema wrote: Simkim wrote: This is one the bands that I've not heard yet. What albums do you recommend me for starting? Definitely check out: Chronometree Lex Rex Shadowlands The Inconsolable Secret Moreover, you might want to check out their sampler page at the following URL: http://www.glasshammer.com/pages/features/samplers/ album_sampler.html

Thanks, I'll try one of these

Simkim wrote: This is one the bands that I've not heard yet. What albums do you recommend me for starting?

Definitely check out:

Chronometree
Lex Rex
Shadowlands
The Inconsolable Secret

Moreover, you might want to check out their sampler page at the
following URL:

http://www.glasshammer.com/pages/features/samplers/
album_sampler.html

It never really occured to me that the production is any way weak on their albums

As for the 'sampled' drums?? Mr Schendel actually plays a small electronic kit..and plays it very well on Shadowlands,Lex Live and Chronometree.Check out the bonus features on the Lex Live DVD showing just that...its worth getting!!...oh did I mention that before??!

I also rather fancy the girls that sing with them

chopper wrote: arcer wrote: I never get the ELP comparisons though. To me they sound most like a mix between Yes and Kansas. I don't think their music is particularly ELP-like, but it's the organ sound that does it. There are a couple of solos on The Inconsolable Secret that could be from Tarkus.

Tarkus you say? ELP-like organ you say? I shall have to edit out those sections using Soundforge then and write a stern letter of reprimand to Mr G Hammer.

And BTW.... who'd have thought that this guy Glass would have such wonderfully opposing musical taste to that of his baggy-trousered brother MC.... wonders will never cease.


Edited by arcer

Maybe the most unoriginal sounding prog band I like, but I do like them, certainly!

Indeed, a recent discovery for me and now I've snapped up everything from Chronometree on.
I do have to say though that in keeping with a lot of modern prog the lyrics are abysmal. As mentioned the 'Once upon a time there were three three knights and a king' is pretty hideous but Lex Rex is troubled by the same awful wordsmithery.
Funnily on Shadowlands it doesn't bother me as much, maybe it's cause the tunes are better.
I think, though, that I'm one of the few who has reservations about Inconsolable Secret.
There's some outstanding playing on the album and the melodies are really good in places but I do think they overstretched themselves. I find it meanders a bit and the long, long songs lack structure in places. Also I reckon the second CD is largely a waste of time. If I wanted to hear a sub-par soundtrack to Lord of the Rings, I would have gone out and bought the Lord of the Rings OST (), or GH's dreadful Middle Earth album. To me the stuff on the second CD of Inconsolable sounds like a cross between bad Clannad and Gryphon (without the good parts of either). In fact I think all those little instrumentals sound like a demo CD GH made for movie producers. i'm sure they're mail-shotting studios with it as we speak.
It would have made a great one CD set.
By contrast Shadowlands is a great album, solid, to the point, no filler. They should learn the lessons of that album - and judging by the comments above many people feel this is GH's best.
I agree that the production is sometimes a little obvious and a little slapdash but it doesn't really affect my enjoyment too much.
I will say though that the addition of a drummer with real drums has really given them the credible edge they needed. All those sampled drums on the earlier albums really suck.
They've nicely addressed the vocal problems too. On Chronometree they're terrible./ On Shadowlands and Inconsolable they're, for the most part, excellent.
It sounds like I'm dissing them completely but they only have a few failings and along with the Flower Kings, I think they're the best contemporary retro symphonic outfit out there.
I never get the ELP comparisons though. To me they sound most like a mix between Yes and Kansas.


Edited by arcer

richardh wrote: They are one of the best modern symphonic prog bands and fast becoming one of my very favourite bands along with ELP,Yes etc.Fred Schendel is a masterfull keyboard player..great chops! They write music with striking melodies and containing excellent compositional qualities.Production is also flawless on all the CD's I have.I can't help but go back and listen to them time and time again. btw don't forget the Lex Live DVD..its a real gem along with all the albums.

I've more of their work to get, but they could become one of my favourite bands too

Maybe, I'm too critical when it comes to production.