Steve Hackett - Out of the Tunnels Mouth +Album Reviews

A great album from Steve's living room

Jeff Weselinski | New Jersey | 12/31/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Technology is wonderful these days. You can do anything, including recording at your own house. Steve actually recorded this album in his living room with the help of his keyboard player Rodger King.The guest stars are Chris Squire, Anthony Phillips and more. Steve's writing is outstanding on this one. The lyrics have a more personal approach than previous albums. The music speaks itself. From the music box beginning, to an anthem chorus and guitar solo of Fire on the Moon; to a flamingo spanish jam session Nomads. This song is where Steve should do more of. His spanish guitar playing is outstanding!! The song Tubeheads is ana all out jam session. The song also features a very talented Chris Squire hammering away like a jack hammer.The rest of the album is very good, even Anthony Phillips twelve string guitar makes an appearence on Emerald and Ash. Even though there is nothing new, this is still vintage Steve Hackett. The song Sleepers is different than most of his recordings. Trade mark rythem and mood changes throughout the song make this one a stand out. The last three are not bad either. Steve has been on a mideastern swing The song The Last Train to Istanbul with its violin and the ever intersting drums will keep the train rolling. All in all , I highly recommend this album.From the die hard to the new fan or the guitar enthusiast."

Solid performances, writing, and production

Matt B | Arapahoe, NC United States | 01/07/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Steve is a man known for his many diverse styles. On any given album you're likely to hear a mix of classical, blues, jazz, and rock. Steve has taken a slight departure from his 'eclectic' format here, giving us an album that manages to be both diverse and consistent. Many of the songs here take a similar songwriting direction, such as Sleepers and Emerald and Ash. He still ventures out a bit into flamenco and middle-eastern sounds, even some folk/blues (don't be ashamed to love Still Waters. It's quite brilliant). His goal seems to be to write rock songs with extended and varied instrumental sections that are more reminiscent of classical music. In this area, he succeeds admirably. He gives just the right amount of space for the instruments and the vocals and never dwells too much on the same theme. I think he's created a true work of art unsurpassed by most of his previous solo albums.

While it may be true that he's not breaking much new ground musically, he's still created a totally original masterpiece utilizing fresh songwriting formulas and new sonic soundscapes. In other words Steve is still Steve, there's no changing that; however after dozens of albums he still sounds fresh and original. I think I'll be listening to this one for years to come."

PURE ART

Joseph V. | Paso Robles | 01/12/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Give it a go. Incredible engineering, masterful guitar work with beautiful "prog-soundscapes" from every musician. Each song will grow more and more on you which is guaranteed to fester into your psyche. Very heartfelt lyrics Steve - been a long time fan of ALL the repertoire, and I can honestly say that whether what song is played to my ears (great, good, or so so) each track completes the other."

Steve Hackett is one of rock music's true innovators

Paul Redmond | Dublin Ireland | 01/10/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well in Aug 2009 I started to get excited about this new release from Steve which was due later in the year! You see I had just booked my ticket to see one of my favourite musicians live in the Shepherd's Bush Arena in London in November. The only other time I had seen Steve live was in the National Stadium Dublin in 1972 with a then mainly unknown little band called Genesis!! (believe it or not Genesis were playing support to Lindisfarne on that tour...incredible when I think back on it now?) Anyway the London gig was just amazing!! Steve was in top form and playing brilliantly. He played a good few tasters from the "Out Of The Tunnel's Mouth" and I was impressed. I purcased my copy at the gig and over the next few days I began the the the pleasureable journey of "digesting" the new album....

I have been a Genesis fan since "Nursery Crime" which was Steve's first album with the band. From that time on I loved his guitar playing and to this day I would look upon him as being one of the greatest and most innovative guitarists and musicians of the last 4 decades. Most of his albums have been brilliant and "Out Of The Tunnel's Mouth" is no exception.

The album is different to what i would have expected after his last two rock albums "Wild Orchids" and it's predesessor "To Watch The Storms". These were both masterful works and surpassed anything he had done up until then. With "OOTTM" he has kept things much simpler and made(by his own admission)a more personal album. Yes of course it is great and is unmistakably Steve Hackett!! Like many of his recordings it is also very varied with plenty of surprises. On "Emerald And Ash" which is one of the most beautiful songs he has ever written there are reminiscences of Genesis with some lovely lyrical imagery. "Fire on the moon" "Sleepers and "Nomads" are in the same style and are very dreamy. There is exceptoinal playing and production throughout with Steve shining on electric and acoustic guitar. Some of his best guitar work ever has to be on "Still Waters" I even hear echoes of "Supper's Ready" in "Sleepers"!..? Thanks Steve!for some more incredible music...."

Superb in every respect

o dubhthaigh | north rustico, pei, canada | 05/13/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Don't be afraid to disturb the neighbors. Just because Hackett recorded this mostly in the living room of his house direct to computer, and thus hardly making a sound out side the headphones, doesn't mean you should litsen to it that way. This deserves to be played loud. The eight songs here on the first disc play to all of Hackett's strengths. The dynamics go from hushed, Bach influenced interludes to wailing crescendoes full of extraordinary dynamics. Added to the mix are magnificent contributions from his regular band, including Roger King, and special colleagues, namely Anthony Phillips and Chris Squire. If there is a drawback to this, it is Squire as he does tend to overwhelm Phillips and Hackett. You can adjust the bass down on his contribution. The great thing is he plays with abandon and that's clearly the order of the day.

To hear Phillips and Hackett essay their efforts on acoustic 12 and 6 string guitars is to listen to the craft of playing at its very highest. And all this didgery do is in service to the songs themselves, which are among Hackett's very best. There are world influences from Andalusia to Istanbul, compelling rhythm work and imaginative lyrics. I had never been much of a fan of Hackett's voice, but he holds his own strongly on this outing. In fact, I can not imagine anyone else singing these songs with more authority.

The second disc is a collection of live cuts, hallmarks of his Genesis years. Blood on the Rooftops and Fifth of Firth are absolutely brilliant. The closer is an extra living room track. All in all, not just a bunch of extras, but songs with a life and vitality of their own.

This is a superb outing in every respect. If you are a Genesis fan, this is the best post Genesis album by any member, including Gabriel, since Hackett's revisiting of his G catalogue a few years back. If you are simply a fan of great guitar work, this ranks at the top. For Hackett, it excels in ways I wouldn't have expected. By all means, pick this up."

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	Steve Hackett Out of the Tunnel's Mouth Genre: Rock 2010 release from the Genesis guitarist, an artist still at the very top of his game. Supported by some of the best musicians on the planet, Steve s unique guitar work remains the fulcrum on which this challenging and exhi... more »larating show is balanced. 8 tracks. « less
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