TO THE HILT

I guess that it was difficult for Jan Stips (from ''Supersister'') to be considered as a full-time GE member. Coming from a truly prog environment, to integrate a band as ''Golden Earring'' is one thing; but to be on the forefront as he used to be with ''Supersister'' is another one.

I can't really say that his role was prominent on this work, even if here and there some nice keyboarding can be heard. But this work is more on the rock side (''Why Me?'') than acoustic prog one (''Facedancer'').

This album really takes a long time to kick off: the title track is a real pain to be honest. Things are getting better though with the second long track: ''Nomad'' is a fine piece of music which combines heavy rock with Easter influences of course. A nice and trippy instrumental middle part (almost Floydian) is one of the moments during which we can appreciate Stips' influence. This elaborate track is one of the best of this album.

''Sleepwalking'' sounds as an attempt to reproduce some forgotten grandeur and can also be considered as another good song from ''To The Hilt'' but the level of the great ''Moontan'' is clearly miles away. The whole is pleasant (as was ''Switch'') but there are too few great tracks.

This work also sounds a bit too much funky to my ears (''Latin Lightning'' but not only). Still, this song is also a moment of keyboards delight and guitar maestria. The closing instrumental part is a bit loose but enjoyable.

The closing number ''Violins'' is one (if not the) of the longest GE song. Funk and repetitiveness are on the rendezvous. The closing string section does have some prog feeling which was quite discreet so far?

In all, this is another good GE album. Nothing outstanding but no blunder either (except the short title track).