DEFECTOR

Every time I listen to Defector, I always end up concluding that this album isn't as good as Steve Hackett's previous releases. Along with Spectral Mornings, this album suffers from the plastic '80s sound. The composition and guitar playing is just fine, if not great. But unlike Spectral Mornings, absolutely nothing stands out to me. When I listen to this album, I'm hearing all of the bells-and-whistles symphonic progressive rock sounds, but I frequently get bored in between the few passages where Steve Hackett really lets his playing fly high. If you enjoyed Spectral Mornings a lot, I'd at least give a listen. Otherwise, Voyage of the Acolyte is probably the best Hackett album.