SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: STEVE HACKETT – THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE

STEVE HACKETT
THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE
INSIDE OUT MUSIC

It may be very hard to believe, but The Circus And The Nightwhale is Steve Hackett’s 30th solo album. And, quite simply, it is his best album yet. This is an emotional, powerful album, which also serves as a semi-autobiographical vehicle for the immensely talented guitarist. The Circus And The Nightwhale is his first solo studio album since 2021’s Surrender Of Silence, and as good as that album was, The Circus And The Nightwhale is a tour de force of music, effects, and brilliant lyrics.

The album is centered around a young man, Travla, and how he deals with growing up and becoming an adult. In many ways, some of the songs, with lyrics written by Hackett’s wife, Jo, seem to tell the story of Hackett himself. The opening track, “People Of The Smoke”, sets the scene. It opens brilliantly with an incredible sound collage and moves into a powerful song.  “Do what you’re told,” is later followed with the more optimistic “Flash of light when the sun shines through.” In many ways this is Hackett’s “Solsbury Hill”. And the rest of the album continues in that vein. “Enter The Ring”, which sounds whimsical and fun at times, is really rather dark and foreboding. Here, Travla’s career begins to take off but perhaps it is not what he had envisioned. This is quickly followed by “Get Me Out”. The title says it all. The point is that this is an honest and open album.

Hackett works with his regular band again on this album, and they really have come together as a very tight unit. Hackett plays electric and acoustic guitars, 12-string, mandolin, harmonica, percussion, bass and vocals, His band includes Roger King (keyboards, programming and orchestral arrangements), Rob Townsend (sax), Jonas Reingold (bass), Nad Sylvan (vocals), Craig Blundell (drums) and Amanda Lehmann on vocals. His brother John Hackett is present once more on flute.

The music is stunning. It is hard rock meets prog rock, and it is done to perfection. Just listen to Hackett’s solo in “Get Me Out”. It is phenomenal. Again, full of emotion and technically just perfect. There are many more examples, as if they are really required. Hackett has proven himself many decades ago as an accomplished guitarist. This album just adds more evidence to support that he is one of the best.

The Circus And The Nightwhale is a magnificent album from beginning to end. Beautiful vocal arrangements (“Ghost Moon And Living Love”), incredible instrumentation, and strong melodies meet to produce an exquisite album. It is an incredible accomplishment, and an album of which Hackett and his band should be very proud. The Circus And The Nightwhale is a great example of how prog rock is alive and well.

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