Customer Reviews

Past That Decorates Me

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I crave this genre. Sister Hazel, Collective Soul, Better Than Ezra, Counting Crows, and now, Dezeray's Hammer. With a blend of relaxing jams, harmony and touching lyrics, this group rules! If those are groups you enjoy, definitely pick this one up, it's worth it. These guy's deserve to be discovered!

Favorite Song: King's Highway

I absolutely love this cd!! It is a great new sound by a fabulous group. Everyone will be able to relate to this music. The words to the songs touch your heart and soul. The lead singer has an amazing voice!! Everyone should go out and by this cd immediately!!!

In 2004 Chris Francisco left Dezeray's Hammer and was replaced by bassist Michael Williams. That December the band hosted a cd-release party at The Handlebar to promote their new album "The Past That Decorates Me". Advanced CD-r copies of the disc were sold at the show. In early 2005 the band independently released the album with artwork. Critics agreed that the album marked a distinct, more mature sound for the band. One reporter wrote, "With new singles, `King's Highway' and `Something About The Way,' reinvigorating Dezeray's Hammer's longtime regional fan base and expanding the group's radio airplay, things for the group have never looked better." (Tad Taylor, Herald-Journal, March 18, 2005). Shortly afterwards the band was signed to Rock Ridge Music (a Warner Brothers subsidiary). The label re-packaged and re-released the album with bonus tracks. The future seemed hopeful for the band despite that fact that they toured very little. Brooks, Williams, and Hogan formed a rockabilly side-project "The Sheriff's Daughter". Puzzled fans were encouraged by announcements on the band's website that Dezeray's Hammer was still together and that they planned to release a live album as well as an official release of the Aaron James solo album. But unfortunately a few months later the band announced their break-up. They played two farewell shows, one electric at Wild Wings (Spartanburg) and a sold-out acoustic show at The Showroom.

As a long time Albert Hill/Dezeray's Hammer fan I must say that this album grew on me and I now feel that it's most probably the band's most technical achievement. The more "masculine" artwork for the Rock Ridge release is featured here on Amazon. This release also features the bonus songs "Willing To Forget", "Lavargio", and "Summer of My End" as it appeared on the band's Acoustic Live 1999 album. Used copies of this album are generally available at reasonable prices. I'd grab one while you can!