CHRONOMETREE

Glass Hammer has created an entertaining album full of gutsy hammond runs, soaring synth lines, washes of melotron and a bit of flamboyant guitar work. Comparisons could fall more on the Emerson/Wakeman side of progginess, rather than the Howe/Fripp/ Hackett side.

The storyline is unique and humorous, and may have been the reason that composers Steve Babb and Fred Schendel chose to work with vocalist Brad Marler. There are quite a few folks who don't seem to care for Mr. Marler's voice, but I suspect that his slightly- stoned, desperate-sounding vocals may have struck the band as perfect for bringing the part of "Tom", the album's protagonist, to life. Note that Marler does not appear on the follow-up release, "Lex Rex."

While the arrangements contain the tricky time signature and key changes endemic to prog, each piece is sufficiently melodic to entice the listener back for subsequent visits.

The biggest disappointment I've found with this otherwise strong effort lies in the inconsistent mixing of the bass parts. Where Babb's bass lines are clear, powerful and distinct on the opening cut, "All in Good Time," his bass guitar and/or bass pedal work in the otherwise magnificent "Chonos Deliverer" is hardly audible, keeping that fine song from attaining even more grandeur than the slide guitar, organ and choirs alone can muster.

Nonetheless, I suggest that anyone who needs a new Yes, ELP, or even SB/Transatlantic fix check these guys out. "Chronometree" is a fine place to start.