CREST OF A KNAVE

Forget the critics (with full respect to Peter Rideout): Crest of a Knave is one of the most underappreciated gems in prog-rock, and one of the two best "comeback" albums of the 80s (the other is Octave by The Moody Blues). True, Steel Monkey and Raising Steam are simply very good rockers. But the rest of the album is among Anderson's most thoughtful, creative work in years. Farm on the Freeway, Jump Start, She Said She Was a Dancer, and especially Budapest are compositionally superb, the overall musicianship is first-class, and the production is top-notch if not flawless. This one deserves your attention.