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naji.chmayssani
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.
|4/5 |
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