VOYAGE OF THE ACOLYTE

This is Steve Hackett's first album. It is his most progressive one, having a bit the old Genesis sound and style: indeed, Phil Collins & Mike Rutherford play fantastic, fast & elaborated drums & bass, especially on the 2 tracks "Ace of wands" and "Star of Sirius". Collins' drums are comparable to his work on Genesis' "Trick of the tail". Steve's electric & acoustic guitars are more in the foreground than on the Genesis' albums, maybe because Tony Banks' awesome keyboards are not present. There are nevertheless excellent floating mellotron textures, and its combination with tubular bells + flutes on "Ace of wands" is delightful. The repetitive "Lovers" contains moving mellotron parts, delicate flute & acoustic guitars; it is a graceful track perfectly sung by Sally Oldfield. Phil Collins sings on a couples of tracks. The album is a bit melancholic and dramatic, as evoked by tracks like "Hands of the priestess part 1" and "Shadow of the Hierophant". I think the completely irrelevant and bizarre "A tower struck down" still has some influences from "The lamb lies down on Broadway" album. "Hands of the priestess part 2" sounds much more joyful than the first part: it has a delicate, ethereal and graceful mix of flute, acoustic guitars, mellotron and tender electric guitar: a GREAT moment on this record! Steve seems to sing on "The Hermit", a quiet track made of acoustic & electric guitars, peaceful flute and cello: the light pedal effect on the electric guitar in the end, combined with the excellent wind instruments is remarkable! There are some relaxing oboe/English cor parts which give a noble character to the whole.

Rating: 4.5 stars