DARKTOWN

The long-awaited return to form and the start of Steve's second breath when he got on the way of creating constantly strong albums with progressive material. It is the strongest set of progressive songs since 1982 or 1980 (omitting classical music albums). The sound has been largely updated, engineering remained solid and studio work got a new dimension. Not only guitar has various colours and shades, also drums vary between electronic, rock and none. Composing is quite good and guitar playing sometimes heavier (Opera metallicus, Darktown riot), sometimes sublime (Twice around the sun). At the same time, Hackett employed darker sonic themes, something that becomes recurring in the second half of the career.

The first song could remind of later albums by Jeff Beck that also flirted with electronia. "Darktown" brings us closer to conventional rock territory with progressive experiments. Excellent saxophone and spooky guitar decorate this song. "Man overboard" is a nostalgic sublime song, similar to more experimental "Golden age of steam". "Dreaming with open eyes" has a classical bass, percussions and plenty of classical guitar. "Twice around the sun" takes the best of instrumental Hackett, Gary Moore and combines into one of the saddest guitar instrumentals I've ever heard. Emotional guitar usually high-pitched takes us into different waters; starting upwards before calming down for short break and then setting out further into soaring heavenly heights until reaching the peak with a sustained guitar tone. Absolute masterpiece and I cried not once to this song. "Rise again" starts slowly but surprisingly develops to a fast progressive rock beast, as close as it can be to the 70's. "In memoriam" and "Jane Austin Song" are both mellow but the first one has nostalgy in it. Great comeback that nobody expected at that time!