PLEASE DON'T TOUCH!

Actually a very good album that is often dissed for not being so much a prog/GENESIS-Steve Hackett release like its predecessor, Voyage of the Acolyte. Contributions of vocal artists at the absolute top of their games, like KANSAS' Steve WALSH on "Narnia" (4:05) (9/10) and "Racing in a..." (5:07) (9/10) (two of his best vocals ever, IMHO), Randy CRAWFORD on the gorgeous slow ballad, "Hoping Love Will Last" (4:23) (8/10), and the incredibly powerful and haunting performance of RICHIE HAVENS on "Icarus Ascending" (6:27) (10/10) (as well as his more folk-soul sounding "How Can I?" are all vocal highlights that I'm sure Steve wishes he could sing one tenth as well (but is grateful for the stellar performances of his guests, I'm sure). "Kim" (2:13) is a gorgeous SATIE-inspired duet with Steve's flute-playing brother, John (which previews a whole-album collaboration the two would do twenty-five years later of Satie songs). There are, unfortunately, many of Steve's usual interesting but ultimately irritating sound and instrumental experimentations--mostly on Side Two, though sometimes in the middle of otherwise great songs. Thank goodness for the Richie Havens finale. That outro is so powerful! Goosebumps all the way!--to this day!

A 3.5 star album that gets marked down for pop and oddities--despite some incredible songs and performances.