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| Glass Hammer - The Middle Earth Album |
 Released: 2001 Label: Arion Records Cat. No.: SR1311 Total Time: 45:16 | |
Reviewed by: Clayton Walnum, July 2001 I mentioned in my review of Glass Hammer's second album, Perelandra, that the band sounds different on every CD. Well, folks, they've done it again. Anyone who has grown comfortable with the very symphonic style of their last album, Chronometree, is in for a big surprise when they slip The Middle Earth Album in their CD player. Whether it's a pleasant surprise depends on your taste in music. On this album, the sound is old-English folk, reminiscent of the 70's prog band Gryphon. If you can't guess from the title, this is a theme album based on the works of J.R.R.Tolkien. Moreover, the band's idea here is to present the music as if it were being performed in a pub somewhere in Middle Earth. That being the case, most of the music is acoustic, and where electronic keyboards are used, they're set to sound patches like harpsichord. You can also expect lots of mandolin, acoustic guitar, recorders, and hand percussion, as well as barroom sing-alongs about adventuring and heroism, not to mention a troll or two. There is, however, one track that takes the electric approach to prog, but we'll get to that later. About three-quarters of the way through the album, the music moves toward a more modern approach, though it still retains an old English folk sound and fits in with the other pieces lyrically. At this point the sound is more akin to the band Renaissance, not in little due to the fact that the ladies get to take over the lead vocals. By track 10, you can expect some very modern, not to mention wonderful, vocal arrangements, including male/female duets and harmony backgrounds. I have to admit, although the earlier tracks are fun, this is my favorite part of the album. On the next to last track -- and only on this track -- the music takes the full-band approach, creating a symphonic prog piece along the lines of what the listener might have expected from Glass Hammer (not that one ever knows what to expect from Glass Hammer), with electric guitar, a full drum kit, Yes-like bass lines, and electronic keyboards. In summary, in spite of a little silliness here and there, the songs on The Middle Earth Album are well crafted and expertly performed. Those who didn't care for the unusual vocal style of Brad Marler, who took over lead vocals for the Chronometree album, will be happy to know that Steve Babb and Fred Schendel have once again taken over the vocal duties, along with a slew of guest vocalists -- eight, if you're counting [including Marler]. Sonically, the album sounds wonderful, expertly recorded and produced. In short, if you like a band who's not adverse to experimenting, or you have a hankering for old English folk music, you'll dig this visit with the denizens of a pub somewhere in Middle Earth. More about The Middle Earth Album: Track Listing: Elrenn and Endereth (2:33) / The Old Troll (1:56) / The Old Troll and the Maiden (5:58) / Dwarf and Orc (3:53) / The King's Beer (2:41) / The Ballad of Balid Longbeard (4:11) / The Man in the Wood (3:27) / Mirkwood (2:12) / As I Walk (2:34) / The Last Ship (2:41) / Mithrandir (This Fading Age) (5:08) / Sweet Goldberry (4:41) / No Crown for Balin (3:07) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.glasshammer.com Discography
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