GLASS HAMMER

Glass Hammer took a lot of heat from prog fans over IF and then Cor Cordium as the band tipped their hat to Yes in admiration. (I personally love those two albums) It wasn't for lack of excellent musicianship but the debate revolved around originality and not being "progressive" enough as opposed to being more retro. Ode to Echo should silence the naysayers. This is Glass Hammer centering themselves on who they are as a band and creating some fantastic new prog music in the process.

As much of a fan of Jon Davison as I am, I love, and after listening to this release, prefer the blend of vocalists Ode to Echo uses. The band uses the strengths of each to paint their picture. Carl Groves takes the lead and has never sounded so good. Jon Davison adds his unique voice and style while Susie Bogdanowicz parts are perfectly placed as the voice of "Echo" in "I Am I" and the hauntingly beautiful "Panegyric". Add Fred, Steve, Kamran and Aaron's mastery of their instruments and you have a "must have" prog album.

I personally find a lot more direction and intentionality and less prog wandering for the sake of a longer song. Ode to Echo is a mix of shorter and longer tracks that are all strongly tied into the theme of Narcissus and Echo and their love for themselves. While not a pure concept album that tells a single story, every song speaks to the theme of the album.

Ode to Echo captures what this band is all about and I highly recommend it to any prog fan looking for some of the best new prog music being put out today.

Song-wise, this is a bit harder to deconstruct due to the songs being based on the same songwriting scheme. As mentioned, each song will have heavily Genesis, Yes, etc inspired passages with frequent use of organ, Mellotron, and synth, as is custom with symphonic prog. Though there really isn't any weak song on the album, I feel as though it could have been shortened slightly, a problem with many modern albums, no doubt. But this problem is minor, especially when considering the phenomenal production and mixing values; everything is clear and the instruments are given plenty of breathing room.

The highlight of the album is probably the final epic track, 'If the Sun,' which seems like an endless stream of high energy, catchy melodies, but also includes some deep, atmospheric parts as well.

What this album lacks in adventurous music, it makes up for in its melodies and lush atmosphere. If you like catchy melodies one after another, all played in a highly symphonic fashion with superior production, and don't mind the overall derivative nature, then this album is certainly for you.

8/10

But in no way is that going to detract from what is a quite superb album. It is multi-faceted and multi-layered and given that it is basically all the work of just two people (Steve Babb and Fred Schendel) the accomplishment is even more remarkable. When I played this the first time I put it on immediately after playing The Flower Kings, and I was struck by just how different the two albums were. This also brings in many strands and musical styles but they all become part of the overall theme instead of trying to take over the piece. Both guys are strong singers, as well as good musicians and this is an album that I have really enjoyed playing. It is prog that while often based on keyboards also has a strong guitar element and manages to be all things to all progheads as those who want shorter songs can have them while those who want long instrumental passages are also catered for.

It may have been six years since I last reviewed a Glass Hammer album but yet again I find myself recommending that all proggers get hold of this as soon as possible. Visit the band web site at www.glasshammer.com.

Originally appeared in Feedback #70, Oct 02

Glass Hammer consistent lack of passion finally comes to an end. That could be a great news, but the problem is, even if "One" was published in 2010, in fact they are the very first compositions of the band, this time as a duo by its core musicians. When I hear this magnificent (althought simply arranged) album, there's a lot of questions that come to my mind. The more important two are: why didn't they follow this path? Because the music accomplished here is a lot different than any other GH albums (which were composed afterwards), and in this case, the lack of passion (which, in my humble opinion, is the very setback of GH music) is notably absent, and gives way to a construction simple but very connected between tracks. The second question is: after making this, how could they have donesuch a horrible mess as "Journey of the Dunadan"? The answer, I think, lies in their desire to make "complex" music such as their master influences (mainly Yes, but also ELP and, very scarcely, Genesis) and to imitate them. That's why they didn't keep in touch with their own spirit and lost their way. "Chronometree" was a great album, but lacks passion. "Three chears for the broken-hearted" was a good effort (unlike other members, I really enjoyed it), but they are constantly restraining themselves in the composition. "If" was a great album, but it was a YES album, even if Yes didn't make it themselves. Here is where the real Glass Hammer lies. It's a pity it didn't stay afterwards. I really hope someday they'll be reborn.

Grossly neglected by the audience. Five stars for me.

What a beautiful music. it's purring like balsam on the wounds. Vocal is outstanding (just a sample, how history repeats itself); organ and bass work is excellent. Entire album is great, especially last 2 songs (about 35 min) - real masterpieces of prog rock, not less. The more you listen to it, the more you like it. Since release of Close to the Edge a lot of musicians were fascinated and inspired by it. However, nobody came so close and did it so well, as Glass Hammer with their last 3 albums. Artwork is remarkable, as well. as the music. It deserves to be at least on cardboard sleeves.

This album is recommended for Yes fans and for all complex symphonic prog lovers. What, if you're not one of them? Then, it is not necessary to leave your review.

When Glass Hammer said "If", it means: If this album was done by Yes with Anderson vocal, how would you rate it? In other worlds: Is it fair to rate the same music differently, depending on the group name? Is this "buy or die" album? For those, who want that the song never ends, it is. 5 golden stars.

As I see it... With their last 3 albums, guys tried to bring old Yes sound to new level. And in most songs they succeeded, especially in this album, where strings and chores added more layers to the sound. It sounds very dynamic, powerful and gentle at the same time - "intelligent rock", if you will (I picked up somewhere such a word). It is Symphonic Prog of highest caliber. Thanks to stunning vocal, it's definitely early Yes, but 100% ORIGINAL - and that what matters. The same thing could be said about Agents of Mercy toward to Genesis. Having vocalists so close to Andersen and Gabriel, guys from both groups are enjoying to recreate old sound and carrying it on.

It's all about Love and Tradition. Love to our old Prog and carrying on its great Tradition. Thank you guys for been so brave to do that on a such high level. Please don't give up. Only one complain I have: it's a guy on the cover... I am covering him with my finger right now, and the cover looks way better. Someday, when you will reissue this album in digibook with SACD, please take this "backdoor man" out. 5 shiny stars.

"If" is yet another concept album from Glass Hammer, but what's different here, is that the story is mainly open to interpretation. It is based upon one's search for self meaning, a common theme of prog concept albums. The lyric's are beautifully written, and much more subtle then their previous efforts. Jon Davidson's voice communicate the story rather nicely. There are no tracks that stick out as the "standout", but that is not a bad thing, in fact it makes the album more consistent. What I love about this album, is that the themes are often repeated. Quite often in progressive rock and metal, the themes get lost in the strive for technical showcasing. At times Glass Hammer have been guilty of this (not always) but this album is very consistent due to the emphasis on melodic and rhythmic themes.

Last of all, I want to express my annoyance at the constant comparisons to Yes, no matter how deserving. Yes is to Symphonic Prog as Dream Theatre is to Prog Metal - pioneers of their genre, and it is only natural for a band to acknowledge their influences.

I recommend this album to any fan of any type of progressive music, particularly to fan's of Yes and classic Glass Hammer. Peace!

Their are two downsides to this concert. The first is that I personally would have preferred for the band to have played the full album in it's entirety, and the second is that the picture quality is poor (though this does add charm to the recording). But while the picture quality of the footage is poor, but the sound quality isn't bad. The angles of the footage are good as they give a good idea of the musicianship of the band. What makes this piece of footage so unique and watchable, is how relaxed and happy the band members are playing their music. It makes you feel like you are part of the band.

This performance gets 4 stars. A great companion to the studio album.