SHADOWLANDS

After the epic and generous Lex Rex, Glass Hammer should not stand as loners like they do. It's really too bad they don't reach out like Spock's Beard or Dream Theater in America. Here in Canada, they practically don't exist. What a shame. While Britney and Jay-Z are rocking the charts and drive a Benz, some bands shovel manure.

Glass Hammer still amazes with professionalism and lush pieces of music. As usual, the keyboard is taking the spotlight but also, the vocal harmonies are pretty. Especially the ones with girls. I'm sorry but I have a real sweet spot for bands that own girls (Anglagard, Magenta) . It's fun to see them get carried away on stage (Lex rex DVD) and bringing...hem...I'd say more class and light hearted grace. Guys will always be guys and a woman or two sure pretty up the face of a band.

Run Lisette is a great example of how pretty, light feminine voices push up a song and give an epic side to a story. Can't get enough of light and vaporizing chant like this.

Sure, this ain't Lex Rex. Too bad, the concept got dropped. But Babb and Schendel gave a mega boost on production and sound quality. Pheww, that record's sound is clear as mountain water. Expect vintage approach and a true meaning of symphonic rock.

A final word on Glass Hammer, they are not part of the star system. And there's the difference between a star and an artist: a star has a gift from God (beauty, voice, strenght, intelligence). But an artist has a GIFT PLUS TALENT. A star is nothing without the star system. An artist is going against the system.

This is why Glass Hammer is misunderstood and underrated. And this is why I love prog.