| The
Review |
I have never been much into solo albums from members
of bands I liked. I usually find them simplistic and, well,
sounding like an album made from one person. Like most progheads,
I own "Voyage of the Acolyte", but it is the only Hackett
I had heard other than Genesis until listening to this album.
I think I've been missing out. For those who are like me -
be aware this is, of course, nothing like the good old days
with Genesis, but more modern sounding stuff. To be honest
- I think much of this album sounds like Camel's more recent
output (Rajaz, A Nod and a Wink). That is to say, rather mellow
sounding with low-end vocals, great guitar work, and not necessarily
a bad thing at all!
This album is varied - many genres represented, and yet
it is all good. I have really been surprised and find myself
going back again and again. To start, we have "A Dark Night
in Toytown", which, as the name implies, is dark, with strings
cutting the background in a rather ominous fashion. Here is
some major Rajaz-sounding influence. Next up is "Waters of
the Wild" which changes gears into a more indian/arabic flavored
tune, some great sitar here. Hackett's work is so fluid -
he has only gotten better over the years. "Set Your Compass"
follows, which, to me, harkens back to "Entangled" from Trick
of the Tail. What an awesome track! Beautiful vocal melodies
and acoustic guitar. Hackett is the master of the 12 string.
"Down Street" is kind of weird, with Hackett talking most
of the track in a weird voice, ending in a great jazzy jam.
Following this is some canterbury with "A Girl Called Linda"
- sounds like early Camel or Hatfield with awesome flute.
"To a Close" is possibly the most beautiful song I have heard
all year - similar to "Set Your Compass" but better! I may
end up playing this as a lullaby for my son when he is born.
Then comes the weaker section of the album: "Ego and Id"
is not that great of a track to me - a bad attempt at heavy
metal sounding guitar. "Man in a Long Black Coat" is a Bob
Dylan cover, although I never have heard the Dylan version.
Sounds more like Camel again to me, but the acoustic guitar
has a bluesy feel. To me, "Wolfwork" is another weaker track,
just feels sort of uninspired. "Why" is a throw away filler
tune of 46 seconds. Next is a tune of simply strings in classical
fashion that sounds like a reworking of "To a Close" called
"She Moves in Memories". The last 2 tracks are great. They
again echo recent Camel in a great way and perhaps some David
Gilmour or Floyd as well. The tracks flow into one another
for a great instrumental ending.
So - overall some hits and some misses - but more of
the former. I am impressed and will be seeking out more of
his solo work soon.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Note: This review is of the standard edition. There is
also a special edition with 4 extra tracks. From what I have
heard - they are all very good songs that could have been
included on the release.
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