HIGHLY STRUNG

After his career peak ("Spectral Mornings", "Defector"), HACKETT made the disappointing "Cured". Then followed this album, more elaborated and pleasant to listen. Compared to "Cured", this album is more fusion (group therapy), with often fast and complex drums parts. There are lots of eccentric guitar patterns. Songs are varied, and sometimes HACKETT tried the pop formula, but this is absolutely not convincing, again. The best track IMO is "India Rubber Man", where he is finally able to be serious and sentimental: this beautiful track consists in a nostalgic floating stream of keyboards, through which lead vocal is absolutely great! It sounds rather like on the marvelous "Defector"'s "Hammer in the Sand".

My rating: 3 1/2 stars