TO WATCH THE STORMS

Steve Hackett is the kind of artist who seems to improve over time, instead of falling into mediocrity (well, actually, so your records include the 1980's and early 1990 were mediocre, but I have not heard any of his albums of this period in order to assert such a thing).

Before hearing "To watch in the storms " , my only knowledge of Hackett came to his career in Genesis, his solo albums "Voyage of Acolyte" and "Spectral Mornings" (by the way, two masterpieces) and some songs of spare other albums. Elation in the "Storms ...", is a big, strong, dark and impressive album that demonstrates why Steve is one of the best progressive rock artists of all time.

It's amazing how he sings bem.Indeed , his singing seems to have improved relative to the beginning of his career-for example, there is a big difference in quality between the way he sings in a song like "The Hermit" the first album and here in "To watch the storms" (or maybe just the quality of the recordings that changed).

Regarding influences on the album, there are several: the flamenco style he performs on a few tracks with his classical guitar (which I love), to pop-rock (in a subjective way) and even Eastern rhythms.

In terms of the songs, my favorite is "Wind, Sand And Stars," "Brand New", "This World," "Rebecca" and "Serpentine Song". It is the worst, definitely, "Mechanical Bride".

4 stars