Glass Hammer - Rogue
Glass Hammer - Rogue
A surprising turn from Glass Hammer, as Steve Babb takes us on a mystical ride to ..well, you’ll see.
Rogue
Artist: Glass Hammer
Label: Sound Resources
10 tracks / 60:51
Get ready for a very strange trip courtesy of Steve Babb / Glass Hammer. The new album, Rogue, takes us on a unique journey indeed, musically and metaphorically – and you might not know exactly where you’re going until you reach your destination. And it just might blow your mind.
The previous Glass Hammer project, Arise, had a science fiction vibe and took place in extra-terrestrial locations – Rogue is a journey that dives deep inside the soul. Aided by Babb’s prose and the song lyrics as a roadmap …let’s just say the road trip begins with memories, regrets, longings, and aspirations and ends in a pretty glorious place. How explicit can I get without giving the spoiler? Knowing it’s Babb at the wheel you’ve probably guessed by now. If not, it’s your own choice to continue reading or not…
Musically, this is a slight departure from the recent projects, which featured a heavier, more rock-driven prog feel. Rogue is nestled in airy synth work, catchy, almost pop-inspired motifs and some genuine hooks. The strong bass playing is still there (I’m digging the bass on “Pretty Ghost” especially), the guitar solos still have bite and grit (“The Wonder of it All,” “Terminal Lucidity”), and there are great vocals and synth solos throughout. The drumming is rock-solid but not imposing, with some particularly effective drum fills on “Terminal Lucidity,” reminding me a bit of Procol Harum’s late, great drummer, BJ Wilson. My overall impression to this ‘new’ Glass Hammer sound is that texturally and melodically I’m hearing a mature, grown-up version of the Beach Boys from an alternate-universe (I thought maybe I was way off, but my good-eared wife got the same impression without me saying a word). The melodies are strong, the chord changes play around with major/minor shifts, and the vocals by new recruits Thomas Jakob and Olivia Tharpe are capable of being as light and dreamy as the swaths of synth, easily navigating in and out of falsetto passages.
The journey starts with “What If,” introducing the 70s/80s vibe with a very inviting keyboard riff and repeating motifs. “The Road South” follows with lots of minor to major shifting and intriguing lyrical hints at what’s actually going on: “It’s time we say goodbye / For the road has called my name / and I’m gone / Ever on, ever on, ever on…” Somewhat dark, but at the same time hopeful and encouraging, “Tomorrow” starts with an admonition that God is watching over you and that it will all work out tomorrow – yet the travelling pilgrim is still haunted by incidents in the past. This is immediately picked up in “Pretty Ghost,” which starts with a hard-stroked guitar chord riff and features a really effective pop-friendly vocal by Olivia Tharpe. This is easily one of Glass Hammer’s most accessible tracks for the uninitiated.
Memories continue in “Sunshine,” which features a very ‘Layla-like’ lap-steel from Fred Schendel on the fade. “I Will Follow” also has a very accessible feel and a strong melody, featuring this question in the lyric: “I can see the gates swing open, swinging open wide / Will you love me forever? Welcome me inside?” Pulsing synth notes and hot guitar licks introduce “The Wonder of it All,” amidst a wash of synth, bass and drums. Kudos to Atillio Calabrese for some impressive guitar work! “I’ll close my eyes to rest and say goodbye to life and all its tests,” says the traveler, “…the wonder of it all is you…” The shimmering instrumental, “One Last Sunrise” follows.
Babb’s gift to the proggers is the ten-minute plus “Terminal Lucidity” (I wonder if anyone else hears some MuteMath-like keyboard licks on this track). After a dreamlike entrance into the piece the synth takes center stage over a nice guitar riff. Things get nice and nasty around half-way in, as some furious guitar soloing builds into a sort-of middle-eastern vibe - this goes seamlessly into some very interesting synth work. About eight minutes in the vocals begin, including, “…ashes to ashes, dust to dust / I can hear them calling to me.”
The album ends with “All Good Things,” a somewhat unsettling scene from the point of view of a man at his own deathbed experience: “I see familiar faces gathered ‘round my bed and they’re crying…” The scene shifts and takes on a brightening aspect as the man begins to see glimpses of the Heavenly Realm: “Fierce creatures wrapped in light / Their faces aglow / take me home.” Babb’s mystical but Biblical imagery continues – “Lift me up, Lord make me new …all Heaven singing now,” and finally, “the very stars give voice – To the victory song / Death is gone! It will trouble you no more Here, where Love reigns forevermore…” The song has a slightly Beatle quality about it and ends in a stately feel with a repeating phrase and some synth soloing over the fade. To Babb’s credit, he’s not shy about incorporating a Christian view of life beyond death and I commend him for that.
Once again, Steve Babb / Glass Hammer delivers an unexpected musical turn. Rogue is a fascinating, introspective album that, in the wrong hands, could have been a true downer. Babb and friends instead deliver a message of hope in a style that incorporates the music many of us grew up with. Don’t expect the C.S. Lewis / Tolkien inspired style of the very early albums, the heavy band sound of the recent albums, or the science fiction themes of Arise. No stygian depths and not a single sword-wielding barbarian here – just the human condition.
In addition to the fine musicians already mentioned, are; Reese Boyd (guitar), David Wallimann (guitar), Oliver Day (guitars, lap steel), Ariel Perchuck (synth solos), and Randall Williams and Evengi Obruchkov on drums. Steve Babb wrote all of the words and music, did lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, keyboards, Taurus pedals, guitars, percussion and produced the album.
And he’s feeling fine. I asked.
- Bert Saraco
4 1/2 tocks
You can see concert photography by Bert Saraco at the link below.
