ROARING FORTIES

After the disappointing album The Noise, the 'médiathèque' (library) that I had been systematically ransacking for years, finally gave up acquiring the new Hammill albums. And so did I. It wasn't till 10 years after its release that I gave this album a first listen.

The obvious weak point is the thin sound and the impression that it is made up of VDGG leftovers. On the plus side, we finally hear some real drums. (Not on every song tough, strangely enough). Despite the more organic sound, the album never comes alive. On the whole, it is a very pedestrian pseudo-rock affair again that misses both passion and good songs. At first, the 20 minutes of A Head Stretch had caught my attention, but apart for the striking rhythm and melody of the Long Light part, nothing brings back the old fire. Long Light isn't more then a single and rather painful reminiscence to the better days that used to be.

Despite its title, Roaring Forties is one of Hammill's most inert rock albums. Intriguing album art though.