WILD ORCHIDS

When it comes to studio rock albums, Steve has been in a rich vein of form for a number of years now. Steve returned to the top form of his earliest 4 solo albums when he released "Darktown" in 1999, then came the even better "To Watch the storms" (2003) and now "Wild Orchids".

Steve has always excelled at being diverse and imaginative in his musical styles and experimentation, and this album is just another example of how Steve gets better with age. If you have been a Steve Hacket fan for some time now you will know that each new album will bring something unexpected and new, and you will not be dissapointed with this release.

For those of you new to Steve's work, don't expect one track to necessarily compliment the next, or for a single style of music to prevail throughout the album. That would be boring!The following tracks illustrate my point exactly:

Waters of the Wild - pop/rock meets indian infuenced music - done before maybe, but not as smoothly as this. Full of energy and hypnotic.

Set your Compass - dreamlike folk, almost a lullaby

Down street - a typical Hackett "Epic" - this could easily be a soundtrack to a surreal horror movie! A continually changing theme with different styles and instruments, using Steve's deep narrators voice.

A girl called Linda - possibly my favourite. Paul Mccartney would be proud of this light pop number, but Steve gives it a twist with a wonderful light jazzy interlude and ending, courtesy of brother Johns flute.

Blue Child - In the sleevenotes Steve suggests that if there was a style called progressive Blues, then this is it. He's right. Full of energy and emotion, worth replaying over and over.

Ego & Id - deliberately frazzled, distorted heavy rock song, raises the hairs on the back of your neck- this was actually written by brother John.

She Moves in memories - a pure orchestral piece - majestic and sweeping.

Every track is solidy composed and accomplished, with the exception of "Why" (a 30 second track filler).

Buy this superb album and enjoy the ride. The special edition has 17 tracks on it.