Glass Hammer – Dreaming City
Glass Hammer is one of the best-known progressive rock bands in America. They have a discography of music that stretches back to their inception in 1992. The Chattanooga, Tennessee, band was created by Fred Schendel and Steve Babb, but they have enlisted the talents of many profound progressive rock icons in the creation of their now 18 album studio discography.
For Dreaming City, the band includes: Steve Babb, on bass guitar, keyboards, lead & backing vocals, music, lyrics and story; Fred Schendel, on keyboards, guitars, backing vocals, and music; Aaron Raulston, on drums; Reese Boyd, on guitars, lead & backing vocals; John Beagley, on lead & backing vocals; Brian Brewer, on guitars; Susie Bogdanowicz, on lead vocals; and Joe Logan, on lead vocals. Special guests include: James Byron Schoen, on guitar solo, on “The Key”, and Barry Seroff, on flute.
Dreaming City was released on the 17th, of April, 2020. The album opens as a departure from their past, but quickly returns to the comfort confines of their musical history.
The title track “The Dreaming City”, opens with powerful lead electric guitars, like a rocket take-off. The rumbling drums and electric lead guitars sound more like a Pearl Jam opening than a Glass Hammer album; which is actually a great thing. The vocals and music have a Perfect Stranger era Deep Purple sound. I like this new sound, but this is the rare departure from the Glass Hammer formula on the rest of the album. Nonetheless, this song will figure high in my list of songs of the year. The later organ work, and the psychedelic guitars that take me back to the Cult were amazing. Easily the best track on the album.
The other stand-out tracks on this great album include: “Cold Star”, which actually sounds like a great Led Zeppelin knockoff. The heavy organs take away from that early Zep feeling. Then flute absolutely separates the album. The flute takes us back to traditional Glass Hammer. It sounds great, but I already miss the heavier sound. The heavier guitars return with deep bass, and you feel they really wanted to create a Deep Purple style album.
“Terminus”, is full of cool keyboards.
“The Lurker Beneath”, opens with some cool eerie keys and mysterious tones on lead electric guitar. Nice instrumental track.
“Pagarna”, opens with deep bass and promise. It drifts off into a quasi-instrumental rocker, with keyboards, lead electric guitar and some vocals.
“At the Threshold of Dreams”, opens with narration and spacey keyboards. With a title like this, I was hoping for more.
“This Lonely World”, opens with heavy drums and deep bass, along with sad keys. Little bit of a 10CC, “I’m Not in Love”, styled vocals, with some cool guitar and keys.
I really had high hopes for “October Ballad”. Susie Bogdanowicz, on lead vocals, set to a slow grinding ballad. Susie’s voice is wonderful, but the Vangelis keys and melody just don’t mix well.
“The Tower”, is full of cool orchestration and keys at its opening. Then heavy space keys and Vangelis memories, mixed with great lead electric guitar.
“A Desperate Man”, opens with more spacey Larry Fast – like keyboards.
James Byron Schoen, of the band, Edensong, plays a guitar solo on “The Key”. It is the best highlight on the song, and makes this one of the best tracks on the album. The organ and Barry Seroff’s flute work, help to create a Tull-like presence which is wonderful.
“Watchman on the Walls”, is the closer and at over 11 minutes, and it is the longest track on the album. The ancient, ‘sword barer tale’ weaves on through the song, as it has through the album; with bass and drums keeping time. Styx-like keys and all manner of progressive rock relic icons are brought to display as memories of past greatness. The acoustic guitar work is great. Some memories of Rush, circa 2112, plugged into the song for memories sake. More Rush influences than anyone would want to hear in someone else’s music. And sadly, not the original sounding composition heralded in the album’s opening.
If you like Glass hammer, you will no doubt enjoy this album. Full of enough of the old treasures you have come to expect, along with some surprises up front.
Track List
1.The Dreaming City (7:14)
2. Cold Star (7:29)
3. Terminus (4:17)
4. The Lurker Beneath (1:44)
5. Pagarna (3:33)
6. At the Threshold of Dreams (4:11)
7. This Lonely World (4:52)
8. October Ballad (4:11)
9. The Tower (2:40)
10. A Desperate Man (4:15)
11. The Key (6:10)
12. Watchman on the Walls (11:29)
https://glasshammer.com/dreaming-city-concept-album-set-for-2020-release/