NONE OF THE ABOVE

After the slightly more rocking This, None of the Above returns to the balladry of Hammill's more reflective persona. Just like its companion Everyone You Hold, this ballad album shares similar qualities but also suffers from the same weaknesses.

With Touch and Go Hammill again sets off most convincingly. But the quality is not continued. Naming the Rose submerges into the drowsy sameness that made Hammill's previous ballad albums hard to sit through. How Far I Fell is a lot better again, with inspired melodies and a strong tension that is maintained throughout. Halfway in it contains a piano section with trademark Hammill time signatures and interwoven melodic patterns.

And it continues up and down. Somebody Bad Enough doesn't do much for me but Tango for One and especially the more upbeat Like Veronica keep the album interesting. In A Bottle starts with dissonant processed guitars but doesn't turn into a rock song. Instead it's one of the most experimental and ambient tracks on the album. Quiet, but quite enjoyable again. Astart is an unremarkable album closer.

In the past Hammill's ballads used to have more bite, but if you are open towards a more mellowed out and atmospheric approach, you might enjoy a lot of music on this album. I'd rather recommend this album to David Sylvian fans then to Hammill aficionados.