What does it sound like?:
Steve Hackett returns with a new album, the follow up to 2015’s Wolflight set. Incredibly, this is his twenty fifth solo album, but he continues to push forward and explore new musical fields.
This time there is a definite influence of what can loosely be described as ‘world music’ throughout as Hackett collaborates with artists from places as diverse as Peru, India and the Middle East. This is still very much a Steve Hackett album though, and fans of his proggier leanings need not fret, as they’ll not be disappointed by the music on offer.
As ever, there are hints of classic era Genesis here and there, but Hackett is very much his own man these days. Personally, I prefer the more atmospheric pieces such as Fifty Miles From the North Pole and Inca Terra, which is maybe the strongest song and the core of the album. However, there are plenty of other interesting songs in this set, most of which have a great deal going on musically, often too much to fully take in on an initial listening.
This is an album of many different directions, and maybe is not as immediately accessible as some of his other work, but it does repay repeated listening as the songs gradually sink in to your consciousness.
What does it all *mean*?
This album has some urgent messages about today’s world – it will transport you around the world while still satisfying that prog itch!
Goes well with…
Other Hackett solo albums, his era of Genesis.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
Prog, world music.
Neil Jung says
I’m seeing him for the umpteenth time in April, at the awful atmosphere free zone that is the Reading Hexagon. Doubtless I will be picking up the album. I noticed it is about £18 on Amazon. Is it a double CD?
Bargepole says
Just a single cd – currently £11.49 on Burning Shed, but also available as a cd & bluray set from same place at £15.49 – blu ray has 5.1 mix of album plus documentary on making of album. Only single cd version was available for review.