Marco Glühmann – “A Fragile Present” | Progressive Rock Central.com

I have been a Sylvan fan for a very long time. It all began somewhere during the late 1980s or early 1990s. After all of those years of listening to the emotional performances, Marco Glühmann is capable of making, and the music itself, which enhances that emotional delivery. You know he is certain to capture that feeling and the emotions on this, his first solo album, A Fragile Present; which will be released June 14^th, on the Gentle Art Of Music/Soulfood label, out of Germany.

There are so many musicians and singers that would love to bring to both a studio album and a concert stage, the emotion Marco is capable of bringing to an album. He is able to transfer those feelings of emotion like no other singer in progressive rock today. I know in the past I have referred to him as “The King of Pain”, but that was in the sense that he was so keenly aware of it and could explain it so well to listeners, through his vocals. He has empathy, and that is rare to find in musicians, and singers these days. But more importantly, he can transfer that empathy to his audiences. That is what has made Sylvan such a sensation in the world of progressive rock. Those of you who do not believe me, should take a full listen to Sylvan’s album, Posthumous Silence, released in 2006. Who else, in the modern era of progressive rock, has been able to describe the feelings of that concept album. Who else could tell the story so completely, and bring the listener into the experience. “The story of a father who finds his daughter’s diary after she commits suicide and leaves him”.

Marco, now, 18 years after that epic album, has decided to release his first solo album, A Fragile Present. It is indeed a Fragile Present, which we should all listen to and appreciate. No, it is not the tear jerker that PS was. In fact, although some songs on this album have that Sylvan influence, (Johnny Beck, from Sylvan plays guitars), A Fragile Present has a much more joyful outlook on life and how we all should capture important moments and not be slowed or burdened by past mistakes or fear.

Marco Glühmann – Photo by Franz Schepers

Marco pulled together an amazing line-up of musicians for his first solo album including: Steve Rothery (Marillion), who plays guitar on “My Eyes Are Wide Open”; Billy Sherwood (YES), created the choir for “Hear Our Voice”; Kalle Wallner (RPWL), played guitars and bass; Johnny Beck (Sylvan), also played guitars; Yogi Lang (RPWL), played keyboards; Markus Grützner (RPWL), played bass; and Tommy Eberhardt, played drums. Marco Glühmann, sings all lead vocals, and plays keyboards, and guitars.

Marco Glühmann says that , “Reach Out” and “Black the Shade Out” come from songwriting sessions he held, around 2010. The latter even including the original intro from the demo. “These two songs are a kind of window into my musical past. With all the other songs, I let my emotions guide me: the vocal melodies are mostly spontaneous ideas, and the lyrics were largely written during the first demo recording, so everything is very personal.”

The album opens with “Hear Our Voice”. Glorious electric lead guitar, drums, and keyboards immediately and powerfully herald the opening of this dramatic album. Then, the pace slows and soft acoustic guitar takes over. Marco sings, “Show me the way to find out how the stars can shine so bright. Can you hear our voices. In the coldness of this space. Hear our voice and listen to what is said”. Singing support with him is the Chris Squire-like vocals of Billy Sherwood, of Yes. It is a fantastic sound and a superb song to open the album. Sherwood supporting Glühmann. “Our words will bring consoling light to melt our pain away!” They trade vocals and lyrics as the song continues, before an awesome electric guitar solo takes over. This solo album is off to an immense and strong start!

“Never Say Goodbye”, opens with some spacey keyboards and grinding and soloing electric guitar; with drums going full force. An almost Rush-like power track. Then Marco sings, “In your world. You can love with me. And though speechless you can talk to me. When you offer me your hand. Every single part of you. Together we stand. Never say goodbye. Stay with me”. And he says it so emotionally that you can feel the conscious concern and desire. A power rocker full of an engine that does not want to quit. Later on in the song, Marco even screams with a fire of emotion! A powerful follow up song to the opener. A great love song for anyone who cares and wants to share their life, with another.

“Reach Out”, slows the pace, with soft acoustic guitar. Marco sings, “Close your eyes now. Take a look inside. What it’s worth. For what will you find. Do you feel what you see?” Yes, he is able to see these emotions and feelings we all have, but may ignore or hide, in order to get through our every day. Marco is saying take the time to examine it and appreciate what you find. He seems to provide advise to whoever is listening, and primarily his son, not to close down, but to open up and reach out, despite how difficult it might be. The glorious guitar solos that follow are immense and emotional in themselves. The song ends with a seemingly familiar Yes-like, Fragile or Close to the Edge-like stringed orchestration. Thank you for that surprise.

“Faceless” is a track that is only available to those who buy the CD or purchase the album from streaming. It opens with powerful drums and electric guitar, filled with bass. A bold melody which comes at you full blast. Marco sings, “Am I the only one that stood. Why do the people stand and look at me? I am faceless. Won’t you leave me alone”. Then, some cool guitar solos, with those power drums and orchestration. Marco, unleashes his vocals, proving he can still hit those notes he did in some of the best songs he sang for Sylvan. Proof, that his abilities cut beyond sorrow and those feeling emotions. He can also express anger and powerful declarations. The keyboards and electric guitar solos that end the song are some of the best on the album, so far.

“Look At Me”, opens with soft introspective piano, and deep standing bass, with strings. Prepare for a tear-jerker. Marco sings, “I take you in and comfort you. I hear your voice, like I always do. And still I see your smile. Your open eyes. But then I think of those vital days. All full of joy. These years I spent with you. Those winter nights I spent alone with you”. “Look at me now, and follow me. Stay where you are and never leave. Don’t dare to grow”. Probably a desire to have his son remain a child, and close to him emotionally. “I feel blessed to be with you”. A true gratitude and understanding of how fast time flies and the desire to hold time still to appreciate these golden moments, and as Marco says, “enshrine these days forever!” I absolutely understand those feelings, and everyone with kids knows it too.

If “Look at Me”, was about the relationship between Father and son, then “At Home”, is the textbook for how to live as a father and son. “Let me guide your rights in this world. I’ll show you. From the highest heights to your darkest dreams. Then I’ll share our nights. It’s the least I owe you. Always be around. Never let you down. In the cold. I will cover you. My own lifetime. By my side. I will care for you. Lay down”. Yes, absolutely the pure meaning of home. “Welcome home. You’re not alone”. The speech that every child should here. That they are welcomed at home and they are protected from anything the world may throw at them. Another of the best songs on the album.

“For A While”, is a slow, gentle relaxing song, full of lyrics that show gratitude for someone who means a lot and has offered Marco a warm relationship. A song you would sing to a partner or close friend.

“Black The Shade Out”, opens with cool, spacey keyboards and orchestrated programming. Like a powerhouse Sylvan song from the past. Marco sings, “Let me bring it down. I gotta black the shade out!” He sings, “Try to keep the pain inside”. I don’t think so…He is either gonna unleash power or fire off one of those emotional screams of pain. But the lead electric guitar does it for him.

“One Last Hope”, opens with orchestration and a mechanized soundscape full of grinding sounds. It is also filled with drums. Marco sings, “I scream an SOS in agony besides. Once again lets share our light. Please do not go away. One last hope to treasure life”. Meanwhile, the slow grind of the melody feels like everyday life, just trudging ahead. The refrains are Marco’s chance to oppose the drudgery.

“Life Is Much Too Short”, opens with beautiful soft acoustic guitar. (This track is also, only available through the CD or streaming). Marco sings, “I was too young for life. With dreams still in my head. And my anger hindered all my thoughts to grow. And a thousand times I had my head up, far too high to know. All that remains is what you have taught. You know in the end; life is much too short”. The strings and bold bass, tug at your heart. A look back at how fast life moves, and with some regrets, on opportunities missed, that we all remember, in life.

“Running Out Of Time”, opens with Styx-like keyboards, then some very cool, unique, electric guitar chords. Marco sings, “This path we tread, where is it leading?” An eerie keyboard plays as Marco sings, “Hello darkened sky. Do you see me cry. I know that you don’t care. Now I feel so small. Do I count at all?” That feeling that you are running out of time in life to make a difference, that we all face in our lives. Marco confronts it with some trepidation, but also with resolve to go forward.

“My Eyes Are Wide Open”, is the best song on the album, by far! The Rothery guitar work is some of the best I have heard since his work on Tarja Turunen’s Outlander project. The melody is fantastic. The keyboards and drums are perfect. The music video was a welcome first look at what this album would be about.

Marco’s vocals are Sylvan ready. Despite, the fear, the clouds rolling by, he imagines meeting life head on and making the most of it. Marco sings, “Each day together we should enjoy all our things. My eyes are wide open. There in the distance. The dawning light. Suddenly I realize the fragile. The beauty that we should learn to prize”. One of the best songs he’s written since the early Sylvan days. I hope there will only be more when again the band turns to writing the next chapter.

Marco Glühmann, is offering us all A Fragile Present. An album which captures the feeling of making each moment of your life important. Like that old Frank Capra movie, You Can’t Take It With You. Marco is saying, forget about the things, that we can’t take with us. Enjoy the emotions, the bonding, the relationships with other humans, and make the most out of these experiences of life. Make every day count, with those you love and appreciate. He asks us to reach out and widen that sphere of importance and gain from the experience. This is a wonderful first solo album that gives the Sylvan fans some pieces of cake to enjoy, while at the same time, preserving for Marco Glühmann, a living legacy for family and friends. It is a moment in time, for one of the best vocalists of the modern progressive rock era, to choose his words and songs; to express how and where he feels his place is within this world. I thank him for the time he took to make this powerful album, and share this Fragile Gift with the world. Thank You Marco Glühmann!

Track Listing:
1. Hear Our Voice

2. Never Say Goodbye

3. Reach Out

4. Faceless (CD & Streaming only)

5. Look At Me

6. At Home

7. For A While

8. Black The Shade Out

9. One Last Hope

10. Life Is Much Too Short (CD & Streaming only)

11. Running Out Of Time

12. My Eyes Are Wide Open