SPECTRAL MORNINGS

This album is somewhat inconsistent in the quality of the material, but the execution is magnificent. Hackett always seemed to have more to offer than Genesis generally allowed him; solos such as that on Firth of Fifth gave hints of his genius. There are 2 problems with this album. Firstly, the vocals could be stronger at times though fortunately much of the album is instrumental. Secondly, Hackett seems to love experimenting with styles and doesn't always please all tastes. The George Formby style Ballad of the Disappearing Man leaves me cringing and Tigermoth and The Red Flower etc do very little for me. That said, the rest of the album is pure, unadulterated heaven. Spectral Mornings, Clocks and Lost Time in Cordoba are classics and the Virgin and the Gypsy a pleasant, gentle song but the highlight is Every Day, where Hackett puts on a display of guitar pyrotechnics to put the heavy metal shredders in their place without ever losing control of the melodic structure. His backing band are excellent musicians and complement him well. Buy the album for Every Day alone, a track which would make any "best of prog rock" album that could be issued.