Customer Reviews

Glass Hammer - Lex Live

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Solid progressive music influenced by Yes and ELP with the emphasis on Emerson. All musicians are top notch. Of note is the wizard on keyboards, the true heart of the band. The female background singers add a nice touch and each song is a musical journey which is the way it should be. One star was deducted for displaying all the classic symptoms of Dream Theater and Flower King disease-- too much meandering and dabbling in the instrumental parts- some are too extended and could benefit from editing. A good DVD that should be in all progressive music fan's collections. There is only a handful of American prog bands and this one along with the Hoax and Illuvator are the best.

I can't better any of the more in-depth reviews posted here so I won't bother to try! I only wish to raise one point. Like an earlier reviewer I have an extensive list of music DVDs (Rush, Yes, Dream Theater, Led Zeppelin etc.) and I have watched them all to varying degrees of repetition with one exception...

Lex Live stands head and shoulders above all my DVDs irrespective of quality of sound, lighting, camera work and all the other marks that DVDs are "supposed" to hit for one reason and that reason is sheer enjoyment! The music is heart-felt and performed with consumate skill and the performance is nothing short of addictive. I've had this disc on constant rotation since I bought it (in fact, when I watch a movie on DVD, Lex Live comes out, the movie goes in and then Lex Live goes back in again once the movie's over!)

With Lex Live being constantly played in preference to Yes, Genesis or Led Zeppelin, I'll let you draw your own conclusions...

I ordered this DVD with a little risk considering I'd never heard the band's music before, however, I really enjoyed my introduction to the band.

For fans of complex music, performed by serious musicians, this concert is highly recommended. The production of the film itself is unique and interesting. First, the main performance gives fans and those who've never heard the band the idea that this band puts more practice and thought into their efforts.

The show's direction is fabuluous in that you see all performers involved equally, with great views of individual highlights. Plus, the behind the scenes footage really leaves the impression that the band is very close with one another and enjoys what they do.

For those who haven't heard the band, I can only compare them to bands that highlight every instrument. There are no sloppy musicians in this band whatsoever, nor any sloppy performances during this particular show. Personally, the best sounding Magellan material comes to mind, as well as maybe the hardest sounding Yes material.

For those who have heard and liked the band's sound, this DVD couldn't be recommended more. Though in my opinion the music is more in focus than the lyrics/vocals, but what vocal parts are used in the show are great. It's also fun to see nearly every member of the band involved in the lead singing. And though I'm not normally a big fan of female singers or in this case back-up singers, Glass Hammer uses female vocals to their benefit. Their vocal performances help enhance their already glorious sound. This band is for anyone into technical, yet pleasing sounding music. I have to recommend this DVD with 5 stars.

Glass Hammer is considered one of the leading Progressive Bands of the USA. Actually, at their studio recordings they are the two-man project of Steve Bapp and Fred Schendel. On Lex Live they perform as a complete five-member ensemble with three female background singers. They do contain the essental musical resources to convey the compexity of their arrangements, also when appearing live. Recordings of their album Lex Rex make up the bulk of their concert. By including the bonus section of their DVD, - among others the Tales of the Great War video, - two hours suffice as running time.
All in all, a highly recommendable live DVD rendered by a first class band.

OK, I usually am not a fan of DVD concerts and so I wasn't going to buy this one at first. But, after I heard so much about it and knew there was behind the scene stuff from NEARfest 2003 (which I attended) I figured it might be worth getting.

I wasn't really sure what to expect on this DVD and so I didnt really hurry to play it when it arrived. How wrong I was to underestimate these guys! From the very first song on the disc I was totally captivated by the performance. (maybe because I've seen them play before?) Originally I brought some laundry out with me to fold while I watched it and, well, the laundry got the short end of the stick.

Watching these guys play live (on the DVD) is a real treat even without any kind of surround sound or anything, just a normal TV. I think it sounded great and I dont remember having any trouble picking out the voices or the parts. Yes, Rythm and Brews is small but it seemed to be a nice little setting for them and the camera work is very good and clear with good closeups and views of the stage (unlike sitting in a real concert, you get to see stuff on the DVD) Also, the behind the scenes work is a treat because you kinda get to meet the band and you just wish you were there for that hotel performance.

I found this very enjoyable for my first concert DVD.

Lex Live DVD
Artist: Glass Hammer
Label: Sound Resources
Length: 8 Tracks/122 Minutes Plus Bonus Features

Chattanooga Tennessee based prog-rock band Glass Hammer has stepped to the plate once again and pounded out a crowd-pleasing, cheer inducing home run! The Glass Hammer: Lex Live DVD is an extraordinary treat for new and existing Glass Hammer fans, and for fans of classic-style progressive and symphonic rock. Lex Live contains several hours of yummy audio and visual treats from an independent band that continues to pleasantly surprise with each successive release. Released just a few months after their latest superlative studio CD Shadowlands (read my review here: http://www.tollbooth.org/2003/reviews/ghammer.html), Lex Live is a treat for the eyes and ears.

One of the wonders of the internet and modern technology is independent bands like Glass Hammer get a chance to connect with an audience that may have been difficult to reach without label assistance in the "old days." And the rise of DVD technology with the ability to stuff a project with bonus material makes a labor of love like Glass Hammer: Lex Live all the more appealing. Huge budget production? No, but I find DVD concerts like this so much more intriguing than an overly-slick big budget MTV type extravaganzas. Give me a solid band in an intimate setting with great music any day of the week.

The main event of the DVD is footage from a rare concert appearance by Glass Hammer taped at Rhythm and Brews in Chattanooga in 2003. This is quite a treat for GH fans, because the band does not tour a great deal. The concert is photographed with an array of cameras scattered across the stage (with some home style video edited in). The presentation is clear and professional and not overly slick-which makes the concert seem all the more intimate and endearing. The camera angles and editing do a good job of showing a VERY talented band playing their wonderful brand of classic progressive rock. Multiple close ups of the "dynamic duo" of Glass Hammer, multi-instrumentalists and vocalists Steve Babb and Fred Schendel provide a nice simulation of an on stage experience. Drummer Matt Mendians and vocalist/guitarist Walter Moore are also featured prominently, as well as the angelic choir of background vocalists Flo Paris, Sarah Snyder, and Susie Bogdanowicz.

The "meat" of the DVD are the songs-eight magnificent slices of progress rock excellence. The sound quality is excellent and it cranked up wonderfully on my DVD surround sound system. Included on Lex Live are nearly every cut from the bands landmark Lex Rex recording (RUN, don't walk to pick this CD up), as well as selections from Chronometree. The highlight of the production is the last two cuts...the epic climax to Lex Rex "When We Were Young", and the stunning finale from Perelandra "Heaven" showcasing the bands trademark multiple layered vocals and dramatic composition. Lex Rex is a concept piece centered around a Roman Centurion's quest for glory, and the climactic events that bring him to stand at the foot of the cross and meet the King of Glory Himself. Powerful and soaring vocal harmonies, scintillating keyboards, deep booming bass and potent prog-rock drumming join together to create an unbelievable sonic experience on Lex Live.

The bonuses provided are nice-mostly camcorder recordings of "fly on the wall" events. A Nearfest hotel room acoustic performance is provides a warm look at the band as well as some fan footage from the Nearfest show (accompanied by a sneak peek of the upcoming Live at Nearfest CD). Viewers will especially enjoy the "Behind the Scenes" gear tour. You won't believe the amount of equipment (especially Fred's keyboards) the band has on stage to reproduce their classic sound!

I recommend Glass Hammer: Lex Live highly. Existing fans will enjoy the presentation immensely and new fans will scramble to hear more from the band after watching the DVD.

DJ Barry hosts Soul Frequency (www.soulfrequency.com), a weekly FM and Internet radio show showcasing progressive rock, instrumental rock, Christian rock, power-pop, Psychedelic rock, rock classics and more-great rock for the ages!

Curiosity got the best of me when Amazon recommended this DVD, and having read the reviews I decided to buy it. You know how you get a feeling about certain bands even though you haven't heard them? Well, intuition certainly worked this time! My only complaint is that Rythym N' Brews is too small a venue to hold this much talent. The place must have been literally ready to explode! The musicianship is outstanding and takes professionalism to a new level. Thank God for the internet, for I probably never would have discovered Glass Hammer ( what a shame )without it. I also connect with their Christian themes, although non Christians can certainly be awed these wonderful musicians. ENJOY!

Excellent work! An enjoyable watch! This DVD showcases the incredible talent that Glass Hammer possesses, from beautiful vocals of Susie Bogdanowicz and other GH singers Flo Paris, Bethany Warren, and Sarah Snyder, rocking bass lines from Steve Babb, and unblieveable keyboard solos from Fred Schendel. Not to mention an awesome drum solo from new memeber Matt Mendians. A great filming for an incredible set, including most of the music from Lex Rex and a few songs from Chronometree, culminating with a powerful rendition of "Heaven", that leaves the viewer's mind echoing the triumphant cry: "Above!" The performance is excellent, as is the music, with bright, crisp vocals all throughout in intricate harmonies.

Still, my favorite part of the DVD is the special features. The footage of the eight musicians crammed into a hotel room (which they claim is bigger than their practice room in Chattanooga) filled with beautitful music chronicles the highlight of the NEARfest performance for several members of the band. Interviews at a prescreening party gives a look at some of the newer members, and the band's humor carries throughout especially as Steve and Fred show off their equipment to a camera passed back and forth between them. A personal favorite of mine, the DVD offers a small clip of Jon-Michael Babb, an adorable 2-year-old with a head of curls, working the taurus pedals. Part of a fan's bootleg of NEARfest also shows up, with a small preview of the band with the large choir.

All and all, this DVD is a great buy, both for current fans of Glass Hammer, or those who want to check out the greatest American band on the prog scene!

If you're not familiar with Glass Hammer, they have a textured, layered approach to creating their own brand of modern progressive music with their own very unique style. They take a very meticulous approach to ensure that every CD (and now DVD) is of the highest quality in terms of musicianship - this includes how they structure their melodies, harmonies, counterpoint, timbre, and rythym. This is not Top 40 material but rather well-crafted music intended to stimulate the mind as well as the ear. As a fan, I was delighted to finally see a live DVD so I could "rewind" and catch details I missed from earlier viewings. Having listened to Lex Rex the CD, I was skeptical that they could pull off the wall of sound's majesty in a live setting. I was completely wrong! Not only do they bring to the fore the skilled musicianship and clean, crisp sound of Lex Rex, the DVD captures the energy and charisma of a live performance. Well Done! Give us more!

I'm blown away!!! As a long time progressive music fan I can only say: AWESOME!!!. I think this will turn into one of the Classic DVDs in the genre. The lush and complexity of this music is just thight and perfect, mainly in the venue of Epics Yes style, and executed by Virtuoso musicians. The cute girls in the backing vocals do an excellent job and garnish the scene with simplicity and beauty. Needless to detail the excelscitud of the musicians: need to see it to believe it. They deliver accurately and without gadgets or hesitation. This does not seem a big budget producction. Nevertheless, the picture is high quality, the sound well mixed, making it all together a Proffessional Masterpiece. Now, when you go to the bonuses and the interviews you'll be amazed by the humbleness of the Band and Crew: pure every-day americans.