PAST GO - COLLECTED

I came across this compilation in '97 when I had caught a Hammill-fever, that is, when I started to go thru his catalogue very intensively. Basically this CD was his way to promote his own FIE! label which had started to conquer back some 80's albums. That explains the contents: most represented are the (latest at the time) albums FIRESHIPS (92), THE NOISE (93) and ROARING FORTIES (94). There's also the eerie 'Ritual Mask' from the experimental LOOPS & REELS (83), the very angstic 'Accidents', haunting 'Patient' and exciting 'Traintime' from the easrly 80's. Cover art includes the particular album covers, though quite unclearly, and Peter has written a short introduction. Well, such a brave attempt to gain new listeners!

Tracks from The Noise are powerful and dynamic (heavy drumming!) but I got bored of them soon. Fireships tracks 'Gaia' and 'Your Tall Ship' are quite nice tender songs but the monotonous bass in 'I Will Find You' is irritating, not to mention the banal lyrics. After all, this compilation works OK as an introduction to the early 80's and the first half of 90's in his catalogue, but the listener is bound to lose interest as (s)he continues to hear more original albums. It shows the dicotomy of ALoud and BCalm he was into at the time and thus the material jumps between disturbing and sweet. Do not expect anything like a proper "best of" kind of Hammill compilation!