SMALLCREEP'S DAY

Many of the other reviewers are right - the genius of this solo effort is that it attempts to be a good prog-concept album, in the same vein as Pink Floyd's 'The Wall,' though lacking some of the musical variety and greatness of Genesis' 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' (which Rutherford played bass and acoustic guitar on). It is obvious in Mike's guitar playing that he learned from the best: shades of Hackett's inspired playing are evident especially in his soloing on this album. Anthony Phillips shows himself to be an inspired keyboardist (after not being so sure of himself as lead guitarist for Genesis on 'Trespass'); his synth and mellotron sections are influenced - and rival - Tony Banks playing similar riffs for Genesis. It is always such a joy to hear the refined drumming precision of Simon Phillips and, on this album, he truly outdoes himself (though "Space Boogie" on Jeff Beck's 'There and Back' - recorded after this - is truly incredible!). For all of you double-bass drum fans out there: long before Mike Portnoy picked up his first drum-stick, Simon was setting the bar (and quite high) for machine-precise, yet musically refined, double-bass against hand- stick syncopation. (Though, in all fairness, Barriemore Barlow of Jethro Tull was also a double-bass drummer par-excellence in this same late 1970s time-period). Though a bit prog-pop in some individual songs (due to the chapter that Genesis was entering at the time), all-in-all, this is project is worthy of anyone who enjoys the prog-concept album motif.