VOYAGE OF THE ACOLYTE

The wonderful Hackett had so many ideas that he couldn't really fully get through on Genesis records, so in 1975 during the downtime after The Lamb tour, he went into the studio to record a masterpiece of pastoral prog. This album is much like Trespass-Nursery Cryme era Genesis and King Crimson's debut. Very heavy at times, but always followed by moments of pure beauty with John Hackett's flute and John Acock's Mellotron shining through the entire album. This isn't a vocally dominated album by any stretch, and it's better for it. The three vocal led pieces, are, very good however. The Hermit is sung by Hackett himself and sets a very calm mood following into a beautiful classical esque section that leads into Star of Sirius, with vocals by Phil Collins. More straightforward here, but again, themes are reprised and the song doesn't overstay it's welcome. A short interlude with The Lovers leads into the masterpiece of the album, Shadow of the Hierophant. An 11 minute epic that sets the mood that few songs can, with lead vocals by Sally Oldfield that really makes the delivery of the music so strong.

In short, incredibly strong first half which is entirely instrumental, and has Hackett's trademark sound throughout, and a second half that keeps the pastoral mood up and ends on a super high note. Absolutely essential if you like either early Genesis, or really, King Crimson. A lot of this doesn't rock. But it's beautiful music. Essential.