Why does Glass Hammer get Hammered here?

Mr. Maestro wrote: I frankly don't care how "original" they sound - it's still good music (to my ears at least), so I enjoy it.

dtguitarfan wrote: The Bearded Bard wrote: GOD! You just can't accept that everybody don't share your opinions about music, can you?  What I can't accept is the trolling.  Look, have you ever read UMUR's reviews?  I've never read anything negative from him.  He can write a 3 star review, and if you didn't look at the stars, you'd think he loved the album because he says nice things.  This is something I am striving to emulate now that I am writing reviews in return for receiving free promos.  I have not yet written a review under 3 stars, and if I got something that I thought I might want to dip to that level or below, I'd tell the guy who sends me the promos that I'm not sure I want to write that one, because I always want to be respectful.  But I don't think that's a sentiment most reviewers agree with - I think a lot of people think it's cool to be insulting, because other people who share their hatred of that music applaud them and tell them how funny they were.

Edited by tamijo - July 12 2012 at 06:31

I try to rate bands on their own merit even if they sound like someone else.  The new group Headspace for example has some YES and Queensryche moments in their album I AM ANONYMOUS, but it is excellent.

Every review and every rating is an opinion, plain and simple.  I agree though, that you can be negative and still be respectful.

I have tried hard with Glass Hammer, I really have.  Other than their most recent albums, I'd say they had a pretty original sound, even if their influences were often on their sleeve (Kansas, ELP, Yes).  I love Chronomotre, just a fun album with a wacky concept.  The rest though, I just don't find that any of it sticks with me.  I listen to it, and it seems to have everything I love about symphonic prog, but I can't remember a single melody, solo, or vocal after it's done.  So I guess the word there would be "bland" maybe, since they leave no impression on me at all.  I would never say any album of theirs is bad (well, except the first one, which I have) and they are obviously good musicians.  Honestly though, there is nothing I've heard that I could give more than 3 stars to.  Of course, I think we need to remember that 3 stars is still a "good" album, so their average is actually quite good, especially for a symph prog  band not from the 70's.

M27Barney wrote: Guldbamsen wrote: I've never heard anything from them, but I must admit from reading all those reviews talking about how they sound like YES - doesn't exactly make me wet myself. I love YES, but when I want to hear YES, then I pop on Relayer.  These people maybe wrong though, I know - but there's a good deal of writers whom I respect that mostly describe their music as being very close to the aforementioned band.  On another note, many a bands featured here on PA have 'low' ratings according to other sites. One of my old favourites, Franco Battiato's debut album Fetus, had a rating below 3 before I reviewed it. Personally I found that to be verging on the offensive, and I don't even pay attention to ratings Perhaps you should listen to a few - personally - My fave is Disc 1 of  The Incosolable Secret - Especially track 1 - The maker of crowns - Excellent stuff....Can be very like yes and is very keyboard oriented....

Smurph wrote: Some of their albums are rated around 4. I mean, they're about that good imo. Deserving of 3 to 4 stars. Just because a band you really enjoy doesn't have half their albums above 4 stars doesn't mean everyone hates them

That's just what I was trying to say earlier.  On paper, the PA community likes Glass Hammer.  Average ratings in the 3.5 -3.75 range are REALLY GOOD.  So not everyone likes them, and those people sometimes say so.  Big whoop.


Edited by HolyMoly - July 12 2012 at 14:54

javajeff wrote: I try to rate bands on their own merit even if they sound like someone else.

Roj M30 wrote: I'd echo a few thoughts here.  Some people just tend to write off anything considered "derivative".  You'd think they only listen to albums that are 100% original (an impossibility?)  So yes, I think there is definitely an element of conceitand/or superiority.  I differ greatly here.     I have no problem whatsoever with a band who's sound is influenced by another, as in the case of the last couple of albums by GH.  It's where that becomes outright plagiarism that I draw the line.  For me, GH are clearly not guilty on that point.   In any event I'd strongly recommend listening to Lex Rex which is in my top 20 albums of all time.  The Inconsolable Secret and Shadowlands are also excellent although even I have to say they were pretty close to the aforementioned line on the latter with Run Lisette .

aswas wrote: No way. I thought it was a great album. 3 Cheers is big departure from GH usual recordings, but they had something to say, and they said it, and performed it well. Susie was a big key, with her lead vocals on some of the tracks. But Steve was awesome on his bass, and analog synthesizer, and Fred got to play around not only with his keyboards, but with the guitar and drums throughout the CD. How much fun it would be to play something different for a change. It was a fresh sounding CD, with some downright depressing stories played very well; a story well told. And it rocked in many places also. You have to go back quite a few years to hear them playing the different instruments. Finally, like all GH CD's, the  recording.engineering,and mixing is second to none.

After reading your comments I downloaded Three Cheers For The Broken Hearted. I'm mightily surprised by how good it is considering its average rating on PA (a miserable 2 stars). Actually I love it and would put it alongside Shadowlands and Lex Rex and a little below The Inconsolable Secret. As you say its very different and if anything a little more contemporary sounding. I thought that might have found favour around here but no. Perhaps its a case of them not delivering what is expected (ie slightly retro sounding prog) yet ironically its that retro thing that people moan about.

I only have Culture Of Ascent and IF.