Glass Hammer - Lex Live

Starring:Jody Cox, Frank Michael Liu, Anne Baxter, James Whitmore, Pat Hingle, Mako, John McLiam, Beulah Quo, Michael McGreevey, Kay Stewart, Bennett Ohta, Bert Remsen, Michael Fox, Frank Hotchkiss, Ron Stokes, Jody Cox, Glass Hammer
Director: Jody Cox
Studio: Sound Resources
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
"Lex Live" showcases Glass Hammer's legendary 8-member NEARfest 2003 lineup featuring Steve Babb, Fred Schendel, Walter Moore, Matt Mendians and Susie Bogdanowicz. Glass Hammer's highly acclaimed "Lex Rex" album is performed in near-entirety, along with music from Chronometree and Perelandra. Prog fans will discover a high-energy symphonic-rock concert, with an edgier incarnation of the band than their studio albums reveal. Progressive-metal drummer Matt Mendians sees to that, as does front-man and guitarist Walter Moore. The keyboard sounds are as big as ever though, and keyboard-wizard Fred Schendel delivers his greatest performance ever.

Description

"Lex Live" showcases Glass Hammer's legendary 8-member NEARfest 2003 lineup featuring Steve Babb, Fred Schendel, Walter Moore, Matt Mendians and Susie Bogdanowicz. Glass Hammer's highly acclaimed "Lex Rex" album is performed in near-entirety, along with music from Chronometree and Perelandra. Prog fans will discover a high-energy symphonic-rock concert, with an edgier incarnation of the band than their studio albums reveal. Progressive-metal drummer Matt Mendians sees to that, as does front-man and guitarist Walter Moore. The keyboard sounds are as big as ever though, and keyboard-wizard Fred Schendel delivers his greatest performance ever.

Customer Reviews:

I Like IT !!!!!!!.......2005-08-27

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.

An instant classic.......2005-08-02

I can always tell when a band is very good and when a release is a timeless masterpiece. Thus is the case with Glass Hammer's Lex Live. I was trying to compare their music and I found bits of every band that I love in them. I found a very strong Yes influence (Wakeman and Squire) with a touch of early Genesis ,even a touch of Tull (Classical/folk). Yet their music beautifully integrates church music (Bach) and perfectly fuses madrigal singing with the help of the females who don't drown out the male singers but are like a living melotron. The songs are uplifting and divine that take you to another world. It's truly amazing what real musicians can do. Other bands like the Flower Kings and
Spock's Beard can only learn from these masters of prog rock. America rocks again as we did with Kansas. Truly an instant classic.

pleasantly surprised..........2005-02-26

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 has a brand new fan...........2004-09-27

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!

PERFECT MUSIC CRISP PICTURE.......2004-08-26

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.

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