OUT OF THE TUNNEL'S MOUTH

Steve Hackett's newest symphonic progressive rock albums may be one of his best. The music here is basically a terrific amalgamation of his entire careers' work, and it all works so wonderfully together and still seems fresh after all these years. Some of the tracks create powerful symphonic and almost new-aged dream soundscapes (Fire on the Moon), some are Mediterranean/Spanish influenced songs with beautiful classical guitar (Nomads, Sleepers, Ghosts in the Grass), some are slighly folk influenced (Emerald and Ash), some rock pretty hard and are reminiscent of work by Joe Satriani (Tubehead, Still Waters), and "Last Train to Istanbul" is a very well executed world music influenced track. With such variations in style present in only 8 tracks, it seems like the album shouldn't flow, but it definitely does. It all flows perfectly from one song to the next, although there is no seamless effect bridging them together as a whole suite (which is a good thing). Of course, all these songs have great progressions within themselves and are all very enlightening.

I definitely would suggest this to any Steve Hackett fan, because of the wonderful variety present on this album. Highly recommended.