Métal Intégral - Review / SQUACKETT

Chris squire & steve hackett

Approximate translation of the review

SQUACKETT is the collaboration between two progrock titans: Chris SQUIRE, the legendary YES bassist and Steve HACKETT, guitarist of GENESIS from 1971 to 1977.

The story of this band started four years ago when Chris SQUIRE, who was working then on a new solo project, has been suggested Steve HACKETT for guitar parts. Don't expect a perfect weeding between 70's YES and 70's GENESIS, A Life Within A Day is a modern progressive rock with modern sound. This album also brings us in the worlds of LED ZEPPELIN, CROSBY STILLS & NASH, indeed ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA, sprinkled with Jazz.

Previous collaboration between musicians of YES and GENESIS was in 1986 with GTR, which was a common work between Steve HOWE and Steve HACKETT. This new SQUACKETT has nothing in common with GTR.

First track is A Life Within A Day with its chorus reminding furiously Kashmir of LED ZEPPELIN. Chris SQUIRE collaborated with Jimmy PAGE on XYZ (Ex Yes & Zeppelin) project in 1981, demos can be found on internet. There are exceptional guitar solos, Chris SQUIRE's Rickenbacker sounds like a thunder rumble and vocal harmonies grandiose.

Second track, Tall Ships, is an atmospheric song. Vocals are held by a metronome bass & drums rhythm, sprinkled with funky guitar and Hackettians solos. Trevor HORN's shadow flies over this track.

Third track, Divided Self, with Steve HACKETT singing is a pop song. Chris SQUIRE's unique and inimitable bass playing gives a very "YES" colour to this song. Like the previous songs, guitar solos are fabulous.

Aliens, the fourth track, is pure Chris SQUIRE. Both for vocal harmonies and construction of this track. To write this perfext blend of Pop and Prog, he has the mastery.

Sea Of Smiles is the first single from the album. An unforgettable chorus served with a very high level music, everything necessary for a great song.

The Summer Backwards is a quiet one, taking the spirit of Entangled from GENESIS: no drums, only vocals with a bit of guitar, bass and synths.

Stormchaser is near hard rock with its incisive guitars and m.

Can't Stop The Rain is somehow the weakest link of the album, despite Chris SQUIRE's vocals and Steve HACKETT's nice solo. This song won't stay in progrock's annals. This song is too ordinary for this album.

Perfect Love Song closes brilliantly this album. Perfect mastery between guitar solos, change of rhythms and as always, these superb vocal harmonies.

SQUACKETT is the progressive event of the first half of 2012. We all hope more albums to come and above all, see them live on stage.

Tracklisting:
1. A Life Within a Day
2. Tall Ships
3. Divided Self
4. Aliens
5. Sea of Smiles
6. The Summer Backwards
7. Storm Chaser
8. Can't Stop the Rain
9. Perfect Love Song

COMMENTS FROM READERS Your comments, suggestions, impressions about the review and the album
To be able to write a comment you have to be a registrated member and to have been identified (Free) To become a METAL INTEGRAL member

Rémifm

The Tuesday, May 22, 2012

City : Chambéry

Oui, gros coup de coeur pour moi pour cet album vraiment réussi... Quelques moments masturbatoires, d'autres très accessibles et mélodiques... Un rock progressive assez nouveau et frais, assez technique aussi sans être rébarbatif... Ma seule critique négative se portera sur le chant un peu monocorde par moment pour moi qui aime les hauteurs... Belle chro Christian !

Comment by Web-Maestro : Of course, el President. It misses a little Jon ANDERSON per Ci by there. Reassure, rumours run on an album ANDERSON/RABIN/WAKEMAN. The return of Trevor RABIN (albums 90125, Big Generator, Union & Talk of YES) to the 6 cords lets predict very good: c' is him which had brought a Métal key to the music of YES, réécoutes " City Off Love" on 90125; -)