SPECTRAL MORNINGS

Steve Hackett's third album is another strong album, but this is all starting to feel familiar, that 'big' sound, the gothic aura, the acoustic songs with flutes and a darker, more rocking number thrown in. 'The Angel of Mons' is this albums 'A tower struck down' and 'Virgin and the gypsy' is this albums 'Hands of the Priestess'.

However, the first four songs are pretty much vintage Genesis/solo and the vocals aren't bad. The second side starts with 'Ballad of the decomposing man' which is interesting though not particularly strong, 'Lost time in Corodoba' is another acoustic guitar ballad. Tigermoth is a prog epic, actually one of his best, and hey I can understand the singing easily. The last minute of music is the best, with that beautiful glockenspiel arrangement, so lovely! The title track is a nice way to finish, with a sea of mellotrons, it's as if he knew how to recreate Tony Banks!

Get Hackett's first three solo albums, you won't regret it, if you are a prog fan or a fan of interesting, good music.