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Steve Hackett — To Watch the Storms
(Inside Out Music IOMSECD 127, 2003, CD)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2003-08-01

To Watch the Storms Cover art

Hackett’s first new studio disc since 1999’s Darktown finds the guitarist in an explorative mode (as always) covering a wide range of styles and ideas, often juxtaposed for maximum impact — which has always been his trademark. The quirky and flambé “The Devil Is an Englishman” leads to an introspective impressionistic vocal and piano piece like “Frozen Statues,” which segues directly into the twisted and aggressive guitar-chops monster “Mechanical Bride,” followed on by the exquisite orchestrated guitar and piano instrumental “Wind, Sand and Stars.” And so the album goes. The contrasts are dynamic and sometimes shocking, but that was always one of the most compelling aspects of his classics like Please Don’t Touch and Defector, and indeed Storms approaches those early definitive releases. The disc was recorded with his recent five-piece touring band, and is all the better for it; the cohesiveness between all the musicians involved is apparent at every level in every track. There are surprises at every turn: those looking for the more orthodox Genesis-like sound should find plenty to like in “This World,” while “The Silk Road” drives a more unusual percussive-heavy sound laced with exotic instrumentation and intense dynamic changes; “The Moon under Water” presents the obligatory classical guitar solo, hauntingly beautiful as always. In all, this is a welcome return to form for this pioneering guitarist and composer.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 27, 2003 releases

Related artist(s): Steve Hackett, Ian McDonald

More info
http://insideoutmusic.bandcamp.com/album/to-watch-the-storms-bonus-tracks-edition

 

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