Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Peter Hammill - Fireships CD (album) cover

FIRESHIPS

Peter Hammill

 

Eclectic Prog

3.57 | 155 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Bonnek
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
2 stars Ever since 1986, Hammill got into a habit, a habit of releasing a ballad album and a rock album in turns. Fireships would serve as a decent ballad album while the ensuing The Noise is supposed to satisfy our need for 90's Hammill rock.

You wouldn't believe it when hearing the lame opener I Will Find You, but this album has actually turned out to be quite an interesting batch of tasteful and intimate songs. With Curtains, His Best Girl and Oasis, he actually has 3 excellent mellow songs in a row. And my enjoyment does not only depend on his new-found inspiration, Hammill must have gotten him self a midi-upgrade for Christmas as he accomplished a really warm and lush sound.

If it wasn't for a nasty key change in the chorus, Incomplete Surrender could have continued the high quality standard. On the title track, Hammill has another clumsy try at using the drum machine. Skip. Given Time is better, with a little guitar picking to accompany the mellow melodies. Not bad but the whole affair is starting to get a bit drowsy. If the opening of Reprise doesn't awake you from the sleepy feel that must have overcome you by now then nothing will. Loud midi-violins that must have escaped the final mix of Usher are guaranteed to wake you up again. For just 20 seconds, before the songs quiets down again and the album finds its final rest with Gaia.

Around 23 minutes of nicely textured mellow ballads. Not enough for 3 stars.

Bonnek | 2/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this PETER HAMMILL review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.