Steve Hackett at Progfreak.com

This really is awful. Steve Hackett released a few stinkers in his career, but this has to be the worst. Not much that makes it prog, but more so annoying music. Only for completionists.

 People keep saying this was the one album Genesis never released. what a load of [&*!#]e!!! This was the first album released by Steve Hackett and while we all know he did not get enough creative ' airplay' in Genesis this is a ligitimate solo album by one of the most talented guitarists of our time. Do not forget Genesis were prolific at this time, personeel changes and all. Albums were relentlessley released to standing ovations. However Mr. Hackett started to exert his own individuality and what smacks from the first track is that he went head first into collabotating with his peers as well as other notable artists of that time to help create this genuine masterpiece. Never ever to be surpassed again apart from maybe ' Spectral Morning'. There is no point in mentioning each track laboriously showering praise all over them as each one is unique, continuous play and simply awesome. The mood and emotion is unique as is Kim Poor's moving artwork. Star of Sirius though stands up there with the great prog rock creations of all time. Nine out of 10 is a sure thing.

This is quite a genre-defying monster of an album. It touches so many styles, moods and sounds - at one time it reminds of Tom Waits, then swings over to completely symphonic non-rock classical music, only to suddenly return to a Adrian Belew-esque New Art-Rock Post-Pop groove. It's not chaotic though - each of the 13 relatively short track seems like a coherent episode of an incoherent dream ...

I like it, and this being the first Steve Hackett album to get my hands upon I'm eager to explore his discography!

"More revealing than ever before and firmly autographical, DARKTOWN is as personal a Hackett album as you're likely to see." This is what is written on the cover of Darktown and it's true. A very emotional album featuring Ian McDonald and one weak point; the drummer who isn't one (it's just programmed drums - though well programmed- , except Rise Again which features a real drummer) Nevertheless a great Hackett album with many good songs and no really weak track...Darktown Riot might be a skip-favourite.