Steve Hackett
Voyage of the Acolyte

THE REVIEW

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