Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Glass Hammer - The Middle Earth Album CD (album) cover

THE MIDDLE EARTH ALBUM

Glass Hammer

 

Symphonic Prog

2.41 | 84 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Evolver
Special Collaborator
Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams
2 stars Huzzah!

I forsake thee. Go a-reaping in yonder field. Gather up bales of nerdbane, and take thy sword, Sting, the conqueror of the castrati Gordon Sumner, and venture off into the land of creatures known and unknown. You will vanquish d'Orcs, and the bloated Elvish Presleys before you complete thy quest.

2001. Steve Babb and Fred Schendel find that they were eight years too soon with their album dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkein's unreadable classic novels. So what to do? Do it again.

At least this one isn't as pitiful as Rick Wakeman's label repackaging some new age pieces with new names and calling the inspired by the books. But it isn't very food.

More than half of the album is made up of pseudo-celtic folky madrigals, played as if in a tevern, with a crowd singing along and pretending to enjoy the music. In fact, the songs are tedious. Most go on too long, and unless you are one of those who enjoys those character infested renaissance faires, are somewhat boring.

The second half of the album is a bit better, tending toward folkier pieces. The first song I can actually say that I like is Mithrandir (This Fading Age), which sounds almost like a Jon Anderson song. It is followed by Sweet Goldberry, the only song that could be called either prog or rock.

I'd recommend skipping this album.

Evolver | 2/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this GLASS HAMMER review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.