NADIR'S BIG CHANCE

Probably not too hard to figure out how I stand concerning this lp is it? To me, it really is quintessential Hammill. It does have most of the usual characteristics..you love it or hate it (the whole album), there are moments of musical sophistication rubbing shoulders with raw aggression (Institute of Mental Health), pure aggression (Nobody's Business, Birthday Special), emotive beauty (Been Alone So Long) aching melancholy (Shingle Song) sarcastic jibes (the title track, Two or Three Spectres), stately art rock (Pompeii). They are all merely articulated in shorter songs with less time signature changes. Yes the guitars are way up front and dominate many songs and there is a raucous edge to the whole thing but it is still classic Hammill in every way. Favorite tracks are "Institute of Mental Health, Burning", "Open Your Eyes", "Been Alone So Long" (A lovely Chris Judge Smith contribution), "Airport", and "Birthday Special" (FANTASTIC!). Not prog, but not exactly punk either, though attitudes and elements of both are present. Just a great album.