HIGHLY STRUNG

After surrendering to pop abandon on "Cured", STEVE HACKETT went back to his more standard mixed concoction with "Highly Strung". This should be a relief to those who explored no further than "Cured", but it is not a full fledged return to roots by any means.

The 1980s are firmly in tow but tracks like "Camino Royale", the surprise hit "Cell 151", "Always Somewhere Else" and "Hackett to Pieces" renew his rock credentials while perpetuating his melodic muse. The quotient of ambient ballads is reduced, but "Indian Rubber Man" would qualify. For those who did like "Cured", "Give it Away" is a sunny pop number with his usual rich acoustics and increasingly confident vocals, with a particularly fine middle section, and "Weightless" perpetuates his "Picture Postcard" persona. Personally, I enjoy these, but many might turn away.

Another consistent disk that showcases the man's broad interests, "Highly Strung" might make one nervous about the future of prog, but it's nothing a chill pill and an ear for good music couldn't overcome.