Beyond The Shrouded Horizon [Extra tracks, Special Edition]

As of course being a "Genesis head" dating back too long, I am always amazed at Steve Hackett. This man never stops. Playing,doing projects, forming new bands and now making a wonderful new
CD. This was well worth the wait. Textures,colours and the band is excellent! He is the only real "Genesis" person that is really trying to make that mark to be more known. In writing him and hearing his interviews via UK radio, he sounds like he really enjoys his life ,his music and now his new bride. The CD is totally fabulous! Its always how Hackett "lays out the tune" is amazing.
The hard textures down to the soft progression that you would miss if you were not listening closely. For people just discovering Steve Hackett. Go back and listen to "Ace of Wands",then maybe "Cured",then this one. My hat is to you my friend,well done on this new release! One note on listening to Hackett cd's. You have to listen to them much more than once to an over all "picture" of what Mr. Hackett creates . Just wonderful.......

Purchased as a down load this review covers only the first CD. I am EXTREMELY disappointed that I missed seeing the down load that had both CDs on it. My bad.

"More of the same" with Steve Hackett is a good thing! "More of the same" means a tremendous variety of virtuoso performances by a musician who is only getting better with age. While many seem to get complacent, Steve continues to push himself, experiment with varied musical styles and add finesse and refinement to his virtuoso guitar playing after over 40 years of plying his trade.

"Beyond the Shrouded Horizon" is probably the most appealing Steve Hackett album I had the pleasure of listening to in the past decade. (and I have listened to them all) Steve Hackett will generally garner four star ratings from me but in comparison with his other albums I must give BTSH five stars. I find myself just stopping, tuning everything else out, and just listening to it.

This album is epic in nature. NEVER boring. It blends seamlessly between strong electric guitar, electronic, acoustic,classical, and fully orchestrated numbers. Many of the songs blend into each other with no pause between tracks making some series of songs more like suites. Steve brings in Chris Squire (Yes) on base for several numbers and incorporates female vocalists on a couple of numbers. A wide variety of guest musicians (enhancing his normal band mates) keeps each song fresh and different. Songs range from rock, to blues, to ballads, to world beat. Orchestrations on some numbers make them rich but never overpowering. The final cut on the first CD "Turn This Island Earth" is nothing short of stunning! This CD, simply put, is marvelous!

Never bought a Steve Hackett album before? Start with this one. Many want to take you back to his Genesis and early post Genesis works, but with this CD I have to say to start here!

I had to append this paragraph to my original review because I feel the final number "Turn This Island Earth" deserves some special attention.

The closing song "Turn This Island Earth" is one of the more adventurous pieces I have ever heard Steve Produce. It almost defies description but I owe it to myself to at least try. I choose the word adventurous over experimental because it manages to touch on a plethora of "existing" musical styles during its over 11minute run, all of which are recognizable. The overall effect becomes a series of movements, not unlike semi-classical music. It starts off with a slow haunting synth and bass string sound which is accompanied by Steve's classical guitar, this moves back to the slow synth and strings sound which morphs into electronically enhanced vocals (much like those used by Jeff Lynne and ELO) and then the catchiest synth line I have heard in a long while introduces the heart and chorus of the piece. This then evolves to a "blistering" electric guitar movement, which changes to an orchestral accompaniment before it returns to the synth line and theme of the song again. This then, rapidly, turns back to classical guitar only to also be rapidly replaced by Gershwinesque and avant-garde full orchestral soundscapes. Inserted into the middle of these soundscapes is a short, seemingly separate, song but not at all unlike that heard on "A Day in the Life" by the Beatles. It just fits! The piece ends by returning to the original theme and synth line, although briefly, to end the song. The overall effect becomes almost a hypnotic roller coaster ride that beckons to be heard again and again. One can sense the trials, joys, hustle, calm, and calamity that are all happening at once across this planet floating in space.

As a long time fan of Steve Hackett, it seems to me that he is really expanding his talent as a guitarist and a song writer. This album has some wonderful moments, with some thundering rock tunes like Loch Lomond, and sweet acoustic numbers like Summers Breath. There is something here for just about every Hackett fan, as the breadth and reach of this album, which has been apparently issued with little fanfare (at least here in the states) is quite ambitious. Steve seems to be approaching this point of his life and musical career with passion and creativity - well done!

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