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Topic ClosedGlass Hammer "Ode To Echo"

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richardh View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 11 2014 at 14:09
a bit more information which I received from the ever reliable CD services (based in Dundee):


CD SERVICES NEWS

E-Mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
On-Line Store: http://www.cd-services.com/

GLASS HAMMER are preparing to release their 14th studio album 'Ode To Echo' - and leading light Steve Babb has said the material focuses on "some very dark ideas."

Jon Davison, who also fronts YES, has laid down vocal tracks alongside returned 'live' singer Carl Groves and former member Susie Bogdanowicz. Guest musician include Rob Reed of MAGENTA, David Ragsdale of KANSAS and Randy Jackson of ZEBRA.

The album marks GLASS HAMMER's first-ever collaboration with an outside lyricist in the track 'Crowbone', penned by British historical fiction novelist Robert Low.
Babb says: "We turned a corner last year when Carl rejoined to fill in for Jon, who was touring with what we call 'the other band.' We knew it wasn't a good thing to have Carl only front us on stage, but we'd always said how much we would love to have him in the studio, as well as Susie - so, back she came as well In our minds, they'd never really left."
"Jon hasn't quit just because he's working with YES, so 'Ode To Echo' features all three of these singers, and even a couple of others from years gone by."
"Lyrically we're dealing with mythology, using it to call attention to some very dark ideas. Narcissus is seen on the cover; fans can expect to hear our thoughts on narcissism. 'Ozymandias', 'I Am I' and the oddly-titled 'Misantrog' are three tracks that deal with narcissism specifically."
Babb became a fan of Low's books after reading his Oathsworn series, which deals with a group of Vikings as they battle their way across Europe in the tenth century. He explains: "Rob's work is very gritty and down to earth, but he doesn't shy away from the supernatural; and he does an outstanding job of putting you into the action. You can smell the fear, the sweat and blood of battle."
"With Rob I did something I very rarely do: I emailed him as a fan. To my surprise he replied and confessed to being a GLASS HAMMER fan. He sent me a poem he'd written for his novel Crowbone that he hadn't used. He recently heard a rough mix of the track, and seems genuinely thrilled with the direction it has taken."
And the experience has been a positive one for Babb: "Rob and other authors are absolutely welcome to send me verses or poems. There's a very good chance we would do this again. HAWKWIND had Michael Moorcock - GLASS HAMMER could have Rob Low. But anyone who has a spare bit of poetry lying around that wouldn't mind having it 'progged up' should send me something soon!"

Babb reports: "Expect an album that sounds nothing like the last three or four, and yet sounds precisely like GLASS HAMMER. That seems like a contradiction, but will make much more sense to fans once they've heard the album."

Track List:
01.     Garden Of Hedon (6:57)
02.     Misantrog (10:00)
03.     Crowbone (7:22)
04.     I Am I (8:15)
05.     Grey Hills (4:47)
06.     Porpoise Song (3:37)
07.     Panegyric (4:11)
08.     Ozymandias (8:12)

TPT - 53:21


Who else is getting excited about this?Big smile
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johnobvious View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 11 2014 at 20:26
I am on the fence on this and will wait for the reviews. The last three have all been good but have not really stuck with me like Culture or TIS and back to Shadowlands. I have so much music and so little time to listen to it that tons of it gets listened to a couple of times and then sits there. I just ordered the new Ozric Tentacles Box Set and Transatlantic special edition so there's 8 Cd's worth of music. I love Babb and Schendel and wish them well always but we will wait and see on this one.
Biggles was in rehab last Saturday
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richardh View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 12 2014 at 01:20
Originally posted by johnobvious johnobvious wrote:

I am on the fence on this and will wait for the reviews. The last three have all been good but have not really stuck with me like Culture or TIS and back to Shadowlands. I have so much music and so little time to listen to it that tons of it gets listened to a couple of times and then sits there. I just ordered the new Ozric Tentacles Box Set and Transatlantic special edition so there's 8 Cd's worth of music. I love Babb and Schendel and wish them well always but we will wait and see on this one.

I know exactly what you mean . I had to work much harder with If than I normally have to do with most GH albums which 'hit home' immediately. Its a lot denser though in terms of composition though so I think it will eventually become for me a loved album given time.
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yam yam View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 12 2014 at 03:22
Here's another trailer from the new album, posted on the 'Prog' magazine website two days ago: http://www.progrockmag.com/news/glass-hammer-offer-ode-to-echo-clips/
 
 
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Edit: Release date has been set for March 11th, preorders via http://www.glasshammer.com/, with a t-shirt bundle offer alongside the chance to have your album signed by the band. More info on the above progrockmag link.


Edited by yam yam - February 12 2014 at 03:27
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richardh View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 14 2014 at 01:51
Sounding amazing , could this be the best GH album to date I wonder.

btw Fred - ''breaking bad'' LOL
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verslibre View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2014 at 22:13
Nice to hear Michelle Young is back (in a sense). What's she been up to?

Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

"With Rob I did something I very rarely do: I emailed him as a fan. To my surprise he replied and confessed to being a GLASS HAMMER fan..."


Whoa!
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richardh View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 16 2014 at 06:38
^That's Rob Low (not Rob Reed) in case there is any confusion
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