“The Circus and the Nightwhale” – Steve Hackett

Album: The Circus and the Nightwhale

Artist: Steve Hackett

Year: 2024

Genre: Progressive Rock

Grade: C

How my musical heroes have forsaken me! One of my favorite all-time guitarists, Steve Hackett, from one of my all-time favorite bands, Genesis, has carried on well past the expiration date. His 2024 concept album The Circus and the Nightwhale is completely forgettable. Worse than forgettable — it’s rote and uninspired and cringeworthy. I’d give Hackett some credit for ambitiously crafting a sci-fi rock opera 50 years into his career, but that would mean I’d have to also give him credit for his vocals, which are just as bad now as they were in 1975. And his lyrics are moldy cheese made all the worse with age.

For starters, us Hackett fans don’t want vocals or lyrics or high-fantasy prog concepts; we just want guitar. Hackett’s still a tremendously talented musician, don’t get me wrong; luckily, that skill hasn’t diminished. The best solo occurs midway through the mini-epic “Ghost Moon and Living Love,” yet the majority of The Circus and the Nightwhale is quite non-melodic and tuneless. Hackett can still play fast, but he’s playing without purpose.

It’s unfortunately no surprise that Hackett’s very best riff appeared in his very first song. “Ace of Wands” sounds like “Supper’s Ready” next to something as dreadful as “Taking You Down,” which sounds like The Flower Kings invaded the studio. And The Circus of the Nightwhale makes Voyage of the Acolyte and Spectral Mornings seem like long-forgotten dreams. It’ll even make you long for the days of Defector (hardcore Hackett fans will recognize that as the insult it’s intended to be).

I’m glad Hackett’s still making music — the closing nylon-stringed instrumental(!) “White Dove” is a reminder of his magical heyday. But I’d rather listen to Calling All Stations or From Genesis to Revelation than this album ever again. (And, yes, I did listen to The Circus and the Nightwhale more than once, trying to give Hackett the benefit of the doubt. However, my initial instincts were correct.)

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