HIGHLY STRUNG

Steve Hackett

Eclectic Prog

2.93 | 316 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

I would have to say that "Highly Strung" is my favorite recording by Steve Hackett. He does more solo guitar work on this than on any of his previous releases.

"Camino Royale" has a good catchy guitar riff that Steve uses more than once. It is cool and original as aways.

"Cell 151" is like a mini overture at the end of the song. Steve does some interesting stuff here.

I think I like "Always Somewhere Else" about the best. It put me to mind of Jeff Beck quite a bit. Steve played some cool ideas here. The way he meshed everything together was great!

I also liked "Walking Through Walls." Steve is not a bad singer if he gets the right song. This was it.

"Give it Away" wasn't a bad song either. It had some good moments.

"Weightless" was dreamy and visual. Steve also sung here. It was pleasing to the ears.

"Group Therapy" was killer. I liked the first part of the tune so much I learned it note for note right off the record. I thought those lead runs were awesome! The part I didn't care for was the middle where Steve and Nick Magnus were playing off of each other. Steve did some good licks, but some of them weren't that good. He just doesn't solo as good as a Satriani or a Vai or some of the other guitar greats. Nick Magnus blew him away. I wished Steve would have put more thought into his solo than he did.

I couldn't get into "India Rubber Man" at all. It was one of those songs that you are continually looking at your watch and wondering how long you have to endure it.

On the other hand, "Hackett to Pieces" was a killer tune! This time everything was together. No weak licks. Pure prog!.

I would have to say overall this is not a bad effort, but I can't say it would be an excellent addition to your collection. it is good, but not essential, so I give it 3 stars.

Keetian | 3/5 | 2010-4-16

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