CURED

Along with Spectral Mornings, 'Cured' is probably Steve Hacketts best album. Well, I haven't heard them all yet...

'Cured' presented a huge shift in style for the man. I mean everything, from the way he made his albums to the vocals and the music and... even the cover photo!

Cured is very much 80's AOR and 'pop' music and very light too. One thing I really enjoyed is how this albums NEVER feels like a forced attempt by the record company to make a pop album (Anthony Phillips' "Invisible Men" comes to mind). This album seems to have come straight from Steve's heart.

People who analyse music often point to 'authenticity' - by which I mean that music which the musician made honestly was presenting their true persona. Their selling themselves to you, not any fabrication. I suppose it relates to artistic transparency.

I have almost never found a record as so honest or sincere as 'Cured' - it is truly authentic. Although Steve Hackett is a musician FAMOUS for his intricate and complex pieces and, obviously, progressive rock, his greatest gift might be his sincerity.

Sure, Steve went and made an 80's pop record. But he could have made it all dancey and commercial. Instead, he delivered this sincere album that feels like a tribute to his girlfriend / wife of the time, and is really touching, and he opens up about his emotional insecurity in a most unpretentious way.

Recommended listening.