THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER

After a couple of dull albums, Hammill delivered this masterpiece; first released in 1990 and then re-released in its remixed form in 1999. I have both and prefer the 1999 version. No cheap drums, some parts re-sung in a way that is more appropriate to the overall atmosphere; and some additional instruments added, mainly violin and ambient guitars. The whole album is a tense and very dark experience which is beautifully captured and delivered by all singers. Hammill in particular uses his voice to its full range, being at the same time Roderick Usher and the voices of the house. This album is a masterpiece and most of all an emotional experience, up there with Pink Floyd's The Wall . My only comment which makes it lose one star is: when it was first released in 1990 I thought this should be performed by an orchestra!!; and then in 1999 version; since Hammill had the oportunity to do some re-working on it and to re-move the "rocky" bits; I was still rather disappointed with the instruments and still wondered why real classical instruments weren't used. So 4 stars.

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