Music Review: Glass Hammer’s Ode To Echo

by Roman Guzman

Progressive Rock band Glass Hammer’s latest CD, Ode To Echo, is a much welcome addition to their extensive catalog. In fact, if you are unfamiliar with Progressive Rock it is also a great introduction.

If someone were to ask me what Progressive Rock is, I could very well direct them to the new Glass Hammer.

Every time the band comes out with a new CD my wife gets a little cranky. I lock myself in my office and log off Facebook and listen from beginning to end. That’s the way I used to experience music when I was a younger man but taking in an entire album from start to finish is no easy feat for a busy adult. My wife’s displeasure has nothing to do with me being absent from the family for the evening but more from the fact that my two year old daughter is sleeping in the room next to me and I refuse to use headphones.

Ode To Echo is worth it.

As soon as the first track starts I know I am not going to be disappointed. Garden of Hedon kicks off with a grab-you-and –make-you –listen intro. Just the way I like my Hammer. Unpredictable and tasty.

By the time I get to Crowbone I’ve leaned back in my office chair and closed my eyes. I’m already hooked three songs in and I can just hear my little girl starting to grumble from her crib in the next room. Great solos in this one too.

I AM I comes up next, Steve Babb you maniac. Awesome intro that gives way to beautiful vocals. Solid drumming too, welcome back Aaron Raulston! Lots of cool surprises here.

Funny , The Grey Hills is the same tempo as my wife’s angry footsteps in the hallway. If you’re going to be cranky, be cranky in tempo.

Ozymandias wraps it up a few songs later with all the cool fun you expect from GH.

The whole band is tight and the arrangements are brilliant. You have Jon Davison, Carl Groves, Susie Bogdanowicz and Walter Moore all singing (excellent vocal arrangements by the way,) Outstanding and it features the eye-catching artwork of Michal “Xaay” Loranc.

I know when I step out of my office my wife will be holding my daughter and giving me that I-Was-Trying-To-Watch-Parenthood … look. That’s OK. I’ll put my baby back to bed and bring my wife some wine.

She’ll still be mad but it was worth it.

Preview:

To buy Ode To Echo and get tour dates on the band’s website – www.glasshammer.com

Glass Hammer’s Facebook – www.facebook.com/glasshammerband

PERSONNEL:

Fred Schendel:
keyboards, guitars and backing vocals

Steve Babb:
bass guitar, keyboards and backing vocals

Kamran Alan Shikoh:
electric, acoustic, and classical guitars, electric sitar

Aaron Raulston:
drums

Carl Groves:
lead vocals

Jon Davison:
lead and backing vocals

Susie Bogdanowicz:
lead and backing vocals

Featuring:
Walter Moore (vocals),
Michelle Young (vocals),
Randy Jackson
(lead guitar and backing vocals on “Crowbone”),
Rob Reed
(piano and first mini-moog solo on “Misantrog”),
David Ragsdale (violin on “Crowbone”)

Produced by Fred Schendel and Steve Babb

Besides hosting the popular morning radio show at The River, KRVR 105.5FM in Modesto California, Roman Guzman also hosts the Podcast Roman’s World, (http://www.romansworld.us/) featuring new and classic progressive rock from around the world. He also is the father of three including a new baby daughter.