PH7

The opener is a rather forgettable, a run of the mill Hammill ballad. Nice, but not on par with what is to come and a strange way to start an album really. By contrast, Careering and Porten Down are breathtaking. Such anger and intensity, such innovation and fury can only be found on a Hammill album. Mirror Images is a softer track with nice buzzing keyboards. Handicap and Not For Keith continue this excellent string of songs.

The Old School Tie is maybe a bit of an acquired taste with its very accentuated singing and piano, but the beautiful ballad Time For A Change and the marching impetus of Imperia Walls are essential Hammil tracks again. Mr X (no it's not that song from Ultravox) and Faculty X are astonishing tracks again but the addition of live drums make me desire for more. In a slightly extended full band format these tracks might have worked better. At least that is what I thought till I got the 2006 remaster which adds amazing Peel Sessions of these songs where Hammill is solely accompanied by his brilliant piano work.

The difference in quality is in the details. While it has some of Hammill's strongest song writing it never feels like a coherent album. Nevertheless, 4 stars well deserved.

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