- Audio CD (30 May 2007)
- Format: Import
- Label: Jvc Japan
- ASIN: B0011DUJ6K
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,123,096 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Steve Hackett, the former Genesis axemeister, is unquestionably a superb player, a capable songwriter and arranger and no bad shakes as a vocalist, but Darktown is unlikely to find its way into the hands of any but his devoted followers. The press blurb describes it as "a theme-park ride through one man's consciousness", which is PR-speak for (whisper it) a concept album based on Hackett's childhood memories. It opens with a churning metal-funk instrumental which, played louder, faster and dirtier wouldn't disgrace a Metallica album, but the mood changes for the title track which could well be an out-take from the soundtrack for Tim Burton's film A Nightmare Before Christmas. In subject matter, the song bears much resemblance to Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In the Wall", and that's where the album begins to slip into pastiche, frequently sounding like attempts to outdo Roger Waters in its exploration of the dark side of the British nostalgia. There are lovely touches--the orchestra/choir interplay on "Man Overboard"; the folksy pennywhistles giving way to sombre rhythmic strings and a Cossack choir in "The Golden Age Of Steam"; and of course, Hackett's superlatively nimble playing in "Dreaming With Open Eyes". It's just that, well, the feeling of listening to outtakes from Pink Floyd albums never quite goes away. --Johnny Black
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album is not what I expected. It was better. It really has a mix of Steve Hackett's soaring beautiful pieces (Twice Around the Sun, Jane Austen's Door, In Memoriam) to some dark imagery (Omega Mettalicus, Darktown). It's one of those albums that has some tracks which grab you immediately and some which grow on you. It shows how versatile Steve is. I find no weak tracks here, just ones full of strong imagery. An album in parts to air guitar along to, but in parts also to relax and think with.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album signifies both a return and a progression to the work of the multi talented Mr Hackett.Compiled over a number of years,the album is a clear indication of how Steve is a musician who never stands still,and seems to grow stronger with every album.
The vocals are excellent, with the characteristic feel of the 'Spectral Mornings' album ,but with Steve's voice demonstrating a hitherto unheard quality. There are, as you would expect,blisterring guitar tracks, gentle melodic tracks, but above all a feel that Mr Hackett has placed himself well and truely in the 21st Cenury.
Recommended tracks: Omega Metallicus,The Golden Age Of Steam, In Memorium and Darktown.
A must for Hackett fans, old and new!
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It was going to take something a bit special to follow his superb 1996 "Genesis Revisited" album and all credit to him that he almost managed to eclipse it!
This is an album of quality tracks from start to finish with the title track, "Golden Age of Steam" and "In Memorian" standing out as examples of his best original studio work to date, whilst his trademark gentle acoustic numbers are also here in "Man Overboard" and "Days of Long Ago".
"Genesis Revisited" was clearly a moving experience for Hackett and this album demonstrates his learning from that project and successfully manages to merge his musical abilities with his writing skills - and a strong vocal performance - when often in the past they rarely all came together at the same time. Oh and it's great to hear the mellotron!!!
This is a great album to interest a broader population than just Genesis/Hackett fans alone.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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