TO WATCH THE STORMS

After a series of genre exercises and tentative returns to form (Guitar Noir, Darktown) Hackett goes all in with a very personal batch of songs, some of which his best ever. Recording for the first time with the band that had been setting fire to stages on 2 or 3 continents in the last couple years, the ex-Genesis guitarist fearlessly goes into new territory. Optigans, pump organs, intentionally cheesy beats, tear jerker ballads, world music, the blues, and some of his most enjoyable classical guitar ever find their home on this eclectic disc. "Serpintine Song" is pastoral track evocative of rainy April afternoons and long drives home. After I got over the fact that its structure was blantantly cribbed from "I Talk to the Wind" I came to like it more than that 38 year old golden oldie. "Brand New" is Hackett's most enjoyable attempt at a single since "Narnia" with headspinning stereo processing. "Circus of Becoming" is the best use of oompah music in rock since Blur's "Country House" with a heady proclamation to "set fire to the stars" done justice with fiery guitar leads. Hackett is more a writer than a player at this point in his career, as may be seen in the beautiful "This World" in which what could be either a coming of age tale or a break up is given a wonderful arrangement of lilting verses and a terrified pipe organ outro. Welcome back Steve.