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I have never hidden from anyone, friends and family, my love for progressive rock. But perhaps I should define it more as "interest" than love, as I still consider myself a great ignoramus in the matter, and not only in the genre in question. This self-assessment has always kept me grounded and prevented me from going around flaunting like a fool my basic knowledge of prog rock, namely those usual familiar names known to most: Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes, and Jethro Tull. It is this self-assessment that pushes me every time to consider myself a damn ignorant, and therefore, to continue discovering new names, new genres, new gems of music of all kinds, whose existence I was completely unaware of until yesterday.
And after thoroughly exploring the entire discography of Genesis, last week it was the turn of "Voyage Of the Acolyte," Steve Hackett's solo debut, which fits perfectly in that space that separates the Genesis of the Gabriel era from the post-Gabriel ones. It is no coincidence that among the various participants of the album, there are Collins and Rutherford, on drums and bass respectively. Because this will give a "first impression," a taste, of what they (obviously, along with Banks) will later do with Genesis, that is, with the future "A Trick of the Tail" and "Wind & Wuthering." Precisely for this reason, on a first listen, "Voyage Of the Acolyte" will sound very inspired by the Genesis sound. Nonetheless, this is entirely Hackett's own work, and over time he will develop more and more a completely personal wall of sound. The album doesn't contain beautiful, astonishing, or epic songs. Quite simply because the ENTIRE album is beautiful, astonishing, and epic! And apart from a solemn "Ace of Wands," where every musician gives their best, the entire album is dominated by Hackett's acoustic guitar. And it is with that guitar that Our Hero manages to completely showcase all his talent and all his magic. A magic that reaches its peak in "Star of Sirius," where, however, lending a hand is Phil, who, when he wants (or wanted..), manages (or managed..) to be a damn good singer. To all of this, a well-deserved round of applause goes to brother John Hackett, amazing with his fingers on the synthesizer, and also an excellent flutist.
A work I won't forget so easily. And that, in my long and winding journey to discover all the paths of prog, will prove to be a great and reliable companion, who will always stand by me and will never disappoint me.
SCORE = 95 / 100
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
05 The Hermit (04:49)
The mantle of attainment
Weighs heavy on his shoulders
Guided by a lantern
Flickering he grows older
A refuge found in exile
He shuffles on in blindness
You'll take his hand, he'll lose himself
Bewildered by your kindness
Enshrouded by darkness
A figure slowly forms
Through many years of banishment
No shelter from the storm
To find this slave of solitude
You'll know him by his star
Then take his hand, he'll lose himself
Knowing who you are
06 Star of Sirius (07:07)
Above the colour of amber stained evening
An audience danced
Led by a showering hand that brings water
An audience danced
Led by a showering hand that brings water
To both sea and land
Unlock the door of night
Nebulous bright
Again renewed by the vessels of Isis
You're ready to fly
Although the journey is still far from ended
You gaze at the sky
Above the cloudless night
Nebulous bright
He who knows love knows who you are
Worlds you may find lit by a star
He who knows love knows who you are
Worlds you may find lit by a star
Again renewed by the vessels of Isis
You're ready to fly
He who knows love knows who you are
Worlds you may find lit by a star...
08 Shadow of the Hierophant (11:44)
Veiling the nightshade bride stalks a flower revealed
Nearing the hour make haste to their threshold concealed
Lost in thought in search of vision
As the moon eclipsed the sun
Casting the same steps glimpsing his own fate to come
Melt in the dream void from which he never can run
Lost in thought in search of vision
As the moon eclipsed the sun
Tears fill the fountains breaking their promise to heal
Rippling the waters mirror an ended ideal
Deep in thought but robbed of vision
As the moon eclipsed the sun
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Other reviews
By TommyVercetti
"Voyage of the Acolyte is a true masterpiece that fits perfectly between 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' and 'A Trick of the Tail'."
"An album recommended to all those who love prog (not just Genesis), the atmospheres of King Crimson, and Camel."
