SPECTRAL MORNINGS

Steve Hackett

Eclectic Prog

4.15 | 967 ratings

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Chus
Prog Reviewer

Repetitive riffs and abuse of atmospherics are the faults of this album... and what brings it down 0.5 stars for me, but it's still rounded to a 5.

One of the most diverse recordings of the 70's and probably the swan song of classic progressive music, Spectral Mornings rely heavily on emotions and experimentations with eastern, southern and latin cultures. The tasteful implementation of the koto works great on "The Red Flower Of Tachai Blooms Everywhere", and the blues-calypso opus called "Ballad Of The Decomposing Man" is arguably one of his funniest ditties, with a symphonic spark. "Every Day" is a catchy FM-friendly song with some cheesy effects, but with extended climax taken by guitar shreddings and other effects. "The Virgin and the Gypsy" has great interplay of flutes and guitar in the bridge, reprised in the coda of the song; the verses and chorus are very romantic. The rest is pretty much Hackett's symphonic prog trademark from Voyage Of The Acolyte. "Clocks" and "Tigermoth" are the heaviest tracks of the album, with the former being an instrumental with bombastic riff and a ticking clock setting the rhythm; while the latter is drenched in keyboard effects and amazing vocal harmonies that evokes the Phantasia theme somehow. "Lost Time In Cordoba" is the obbligatory classical piece with the flute setting the melody and the classical guitar showcase; a simple but beautiful piece of work. "Spectral Mornings" is the great closer of the album, which loops the main theme in just about the right amount (maybe one unnecesary loop, but it's not irritating and the theme really merits it).

This is one of Hackett's most accomplished progressive works, as opposed to his equally amazing classical works.

Chus | 5/5 | 2006-11-15

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