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*Comments:

1. 317
2. 17th Street
3. The Grain
4. Staring (the 31st Floor)
5. The Day the City Died
6. Romance Valley
7. Summer Tears
8. Grey Wednesday
9. Going Somewhere

Total playing time:  49:50

Release Date: October 24, 2011
Label: Metal Blade Records

Hammers of Misfortune - 17th Street

Reviewer: Peter

November 1, 2011

The Bay Area’s entry into the progressive metal world is taking a step forward.  Hammers of Misfortune had been bouncing around record labels for a while, but now with a new deal in place with Metal Blade, it seems that they are ready to move forward.  Their label debut is in the form of 17th Street, and while it isn’t world beating, it is certainly more than worth the hype.

On 17th Street, Hammers of Misfortune goes for a more theatric style in its music, as evidenced on songs such as “The Grain” and “The Day the City Died.”  This style, combined with an eye on the 70’s progressive music style, adds a new element to the Hammers of Misfortune sound that will turn long time listeners on their ear, as “Summer Tears” shows.  Further adding to the sound is the vocals of newcomer Joe Hutton, which is both good and bad, which depends on your feelings for fellow Bay Area band Slough Feg, as Hutton sounds similar to Slough Feg’s vocalist Mike Scalzi.  Production values are the clearest they have been, particularly when compared to their debut album The Bastard.  Like many progressive metal bands, Hammers of Misfortune is an acquired taste that will most likely float over listeners’ heads on first listen.  Yes, the songs on 17th Street will take some time to get into because of the retro sound, but it is also not too complex in its compositions, making the album one of the easier albums to figure out in the Hammers of Misfortune discography.

It is clear that Hammers of Misfortune is on their way up as one of the better bands from the Bay Area, now that Ludicra (which featured current Hammers of Misfortune guitarist John Cobbett) has disbanded.  Though their style has been altered slightly, the basic elements that make up Hammers of Misfortune is still there, and it shows on 17th Street.  Not their best album, but a worthwhile album for long time fans and newcomers to the band alike.