SITTING TARGETS

Having recently purchased the remastered version of this album, I was staggered about how good it still sounds, not only sonically, due to the remastering but musically, and the passion in Hammill's voice is there for all to hear.

To suggest as some have, that Hammill merely shouts his way through albums is plainly ridiculous and shows a complete lack of musical nous, the man has passion about his music and the words he sings, and he plainly does have the best voice in prog.

The album kicks on in final style with Breakthrough, a piano intro suggests a nice easy start, but not so, this is edgy and a slight spooky feeling towards the song emanates from the echoing opening passage. This feel is compounded with the next track My Experience which starts off with a clapping sound which may sound very dated in the wrong hands but it still sounds and and urgent and the guitar work in this track is phenomenal, especially as he is not known for a heavy guitar sound.

Ophelia follows which is a much gentler track backed by strumming acoustic guitar and a great vocal performance (again) by Hammill showing a gentler side to his voice, there isn't that much respite from Hammill's passionate style vocalisings in this album, perhaps only this track, along with the beautiful Stranger Still and spooky Fogwalking soundalike Glue having a laidback feel to it.

Empresses Clothes and Hesitation are again, sung with passion by Hammill especially the end of Hesitation where he seems to be taking out frustrations about something or other in impressive style

Title track Sitting Targets is the highlight of the album for me at once both beautiful and passionate, only too aware of the dangers of modern life on the road and equates it to suicide ("To Stay Sitting Targets is Surely no Better Than Running Away...").

Signs, What I did and Central Hotel end the album in fine style, as I said previously, there is no letup or easy endings to this album, Hammill gives it full-on all the way out.

Certainly a great album, and if like me you hadn't heard it in a while I would invest in the remastered edition, it is certainly worth it.