Glass Hammer!!

I certainly have enjoyed what I have bought from them. I would put them in the same league as those others you mention. I can't wait to get the new one.

progaeopteryx wrote: I certainly have enjoyed what I have bought from them. I would put them in the same league as those others you mention. I can't wait to get the new one.

Yeah, don't miss out on The Inconsolable Secret, I've really fallen in love after only 2 listens, it may be their best.

They are from my hometown, where my family still lives while I am away at college.

From Chronometree onward I really like them.The only problem I have with The Inconsolable Secret is that I think disc 2 has a little too much filler.Shadowlands is an absolute masterpiece.

I have both Lex Rex and Chronomotree; the first I really like, the second I can take or leave to be honest; although I really appreciate the musicianship, the vocals on this one grate with me a bit...does anyone feel the same?

Fandango: I would agree that the male lead vocals are the weakest part of the Glass Hammer machine. But I love the female harmonies.

Sigod: The first negative thing that jumped out at me about 'Shadowlands' was some flaws in the production, or at least what I regarded as flaws. Certain things too loud, some things too quiet etc. Not a duff track on the album IMO, but they could have been better with a better producer, but hey, a good song will always be a good song whoever the producer. Besides I've heard worse.

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.

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

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

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