WHAT , NOW?

Isn't it amazing that somebody like Peter Hammill, who is rightfully hailed as one of the greatest lyricists and vocalists of Prog Rock attracts relatively poor attendances in these review pages, especially for his later efforts. Perhaps the good man is just too productive, which makes it hard to keep up with the output (I myself own the whole catalogue and re- visit certain albums only rarely). Or is it that he just doesn't appeal to the true progger anymore. I tend to disagree, especially listening to this recording (while I write this).

Hammill had his fling with conventional Rock/Pop patterns around 1990 but seems to remember his roots - apart from the shorter tracks perhaps - with this one, I would even go as far as saying that 'What, now' picks up where he left (and sometimes went astray) with VdG's 'Quiet Zone/Pleasure Dome'. His extragavant voice integates perfectly in the compositions, which in turn is full of imagination and depth, especially on the opening track, 'Lunatic in Knots' and 'Fed to the Wolves'. The latter is full of the atmospheres one cherished on albums such as 'Silent Corner...', 'In Camera' and 'A Black Box'. A full return to form then, if it weren't for the quite unimaginative drumming: Manny Elias is a Rock drummer, he can hold a steady, powerful rhythm, has however not a trace of the imagination of a Guy Evans, Bill Bruford etc. Then again, he's only on a few tracks here and relatively easy to ignore.

So, if you bought this album because your a VdGG/pH devotee and cannot bothered to listen to it again, or if you stopped listening after 'Pawn Hearts' or 'Nadir's...' or whatever, or even if you are a novice to Hammill's work, which you certainly shouldn't be browsing through these pages, give this album a first or second chance. It will be worth it!