THE LOVE SONGS

Hammill is a master of the rock ballad, all his albums contain poignant love songs with great lyrics and an emotional delivery that stay far away from cheap sentimentalism.

So why he chose to re-record some of them in this over-the-top and glossy arrangement has always mystified me. The mystery was revealed in the 90's when he often returned to this plastic sound and I suspect that Hammill simply likes this kind of approach. Unfortunately so, I would say. But that is a story for later.

Be warned. This is not a normal compilation but a rather disappointing re-recording from 1984 that has butchered all the life and feeling out of every single track. Except for The Looking Glass maybe which is still acceptable. Anyway, avoid.