FIRESHIPS

The good thing with Peter Hammill, is that you never know if you're going to get some brilliant music or average one (or is this a bad thing ?). What's for sure is that I far much prefer the man being surrounded by other musicians than playing as a true and desperate solo artist.

Not that it automatically leads to a masterpiece but at least those efforts were more attractive to my ears. Old friend Jackson is back here again, which is always a relief as far as I'm concerned. But, again: it is not always a guarantee of a great release.

This album holds some excellent numbers, as the wonderful "Curtains". Fully Hammill. Fully Graaf. All the emotion of the great man sweats every second of this song. Dark and low tone voice, discreet instruments backing his so special voice. My fave of the album. A passionate number. And I like passion.

It is funny but each time that I listen to the man, he often manages to thrill me. It is probably due to his special voice which attracts me so much. And the story is now going on for almost thirty five years. With the Graaf or in solo. The magic operated many times. A pure and simple song as "His Best Girl" is another example of the feeling Peter can convey.

Unfortunately, this album is not so performing throughout all the numbers. "Incomplete Surrender" being rather difficult to bear and "Fireships" as well as "Given Time" are just average.

In all, this album started quite well, but my interest dropped rather rapidly and the second part of "Fireships" doesn't match at all my expectations of this "solo" album. "Reprise" being probably the most boring song from this work.

This second half conveys too many extremely tranquil songs. Too tranquil, actually.

I am so sorry that Peter didn't pursue in the direction that this album starts. As such, two stars is the highest rating I can think of.