Voyage of The Acolyte Review

Album Cover of Year 1976 © 1975 Kim Poor

The SOLO album is the most curious breed of long playing disc. Usually a member from an established group pools his individual efforts into one vinyl heap creating a product which goes largely ignored. And rightfully so, most solo albums reek of the kind of self indulgence which gives rock 'n' roll a bad name. Steve Hackett, lead guitarist or Genesis, has released an album that will undoubtedly Catch Genesis fans and enemies unaware. Miraculously, Hackett has maintained quality throughout.

Familiar strains of Genesis majesty float in and out of the instrumentals, not with trite repetition, but creative now. There are stalwart Genesis techniques: the beautiful mixture of electric and 12 string acoustic guitar; the up tempo rockier time changes that occur when you least expect them: the lovely harmonics that generate a feeling of fantasy; and, of course, Hackett's own unique style or guitar playing.

Reasons for the similarity between Genesis are twofold. One being the album personnel, which includes vocals and percussion from Phil Collins and bass guitar and 12-string from Mike Rutherford. Assorted woodwind instruments add to the eerie, haunting quality or the music. Yet the second reason for similarity will surprise a lot of people who assumed the band to be at the mercy of Peter Gabriel's artistic wrath. All the songs here add substance to the notion that Genesis write songs as a group. On this showing, Hackett's contributions are obvious.

The bulk of the material -eight songs- are instrumental. When they are delivered, the lyrics generally add to the ethereal quality of the music, sung by Sally Oldfield, Phil Collins and Hackett, 'Ace Of Wands' will surprise those expecting weak construction, the complex time changes being sophisticated. while 'Star of Sirius' contains a great middle break where a hardened musical assault comes from nowhere with real power. 'Voyage Of The Acolyte" confirms the talent Steve Hackett displays throughout his work with Genesis while promising good things for their next album. Barbara Charone