Prog4you.com - Progressive Rock Review

The Players
Fred Schendel (Nord electro 2, NordLead 2, piano, Bela D Media D-synth, organs, electric piano, mellotron, additional synths, loops and programming, acoustic guitar, string arrangements and backing vocals) - Steve Babb (bass guitar, pipe organ, Taurus pedals, the Free Note, assorted percussion, mellotron, piano, harp, loops, programming, Mini-Moog and backing vocals) Carl Groves (lead and backing vocals) - Susie Bogdanowicz (lead and backing vocals) - Matt Mendians (drums) David Wallimann (electric guitars) - Rebecca James (violin) - Susan Whitacre (viola) - Rachel Beckmann (cello)

Guest musicians:
Sarah Snyder (backing vocals) - Eric Parker (acoustic guitar) - Robert Streets (backing vocals)
- Haley McGuire (backing vocals) - Jon Anderson (vocals)

I’ve always thought of Glass Hammer as a second-tier act even if their fan base placed them in the company of the elite. For that reason, I’ve hesitated to pipe in, because I didn’t want to rain on anybodies parade.

I’ve ascertained that fans have been totally out of whack on their interpretations of the band’s work. They praised The Inconsolable Secret as their best. Personally, I thought it was more discombobulating than Yes’ Tales from the Topographic Ocean. I mean; the name alone makes no sense. Then when played, the props and gags were cheesier than Ed Wood’s Plan Nine from Outer Space. While it takes musicianship to play their layered bars, Red Green would have done a better job taping that monstrosity together.

[Disclaimer: Before you go on, I should let you know… this really is a positive review.]

My sole reason for bashing their discography and magnum opus is to drive home this very point: Their most vocal fans got it wrong again.

Culture of Ascent has been marginalized and derided when compared to The Inconsolable Secret. Like Donald Rumsfeld would say, “That’s flat not true”. Only I’m telling the truth.

Just like Salem Hill did for Mimi’s Magic Moment, Glass Hammer shatters all barriers in their path and without flinching; claws its way to the head of the pack. They are considered the crème de la crème in my book even if the loyalists have become naysayers. All they have to do is continue making treasures on par with this one to keep me glued to their program.

The highlight of the album is “Into Thin Air”. It’s Salem Hill reloaded if you ask me since its mood is inline with their conceptual suburb. Thematically, it conjures up thoughts of Lee Scoresby’s balloon flying on fumes to carry out an urgent mission to save the world. That navigator and aeronaut comes from Philip Pulman’s Dark Materials trilogy, and it has no bearings on prophesies here. However, the artwork does give the impression of an epic journey through treacherous topography in a cold and lonely world without a star in the sky. Yet, somehow there is luminosity, direction and hope in this vast darkness; don’t ask me how. That’s what the cover and aleithometer reads.

By the way, Salem Hill has been repeatedly referenced thus far. In case you didn’t know it, Carl Groves, who composes, sings, plays guitars and keys for Salem Hill, is in this band. So there is good reason to think that their similarities and successes are tied to this multi-skilled man.

Glass Hammer was never meant to be a pop culture icon even among the progressive nouveau riche. Even so, they must be granted access to the back room with this marvelous submission. Hopefully, its accessibility doesn’t lose them their faithful niche crowd.

There will always be a place for the anarchistic listener in avant-garde. As for Glass Hammer, it seems as if they’ve now been inundated with features that bring them closer to the norm without ditching the cult following. Nevertheless, in my opinion, parts of the freakish sideshow have been canned with this improved blend.

In any case, it’s guaranteed that they’ve opened up their fan base to a wider base – because it’s one that now includes me.

Did I mention Jon Anderson contributes to this album? Okay I’m sure that comment created a few more fanatics.

8.75/10
Reviewer: Josh Turner

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Discography
Culture Of Ascent - 1993
Perelandra - 1995
On To Evermore 1998
Chronometree - 2000
The Middle Earth Album - 2001
Lex Rex - 2002
Shadowlands - 2004
The Inconsolable Secret - 2005
Culture Of Ascent - 2007