Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett stepped out on his own in the late '70s with several solo releases, including Defector. The 1980 release doesn't stray far musically from early Genesis, containing a healthy (or unhealthy, depending on your tastes) dose of progressive rock. Five flute- and keyboard-heavy instrumentals appear, as well as five vocal numbers with Hackett taking the singing chores. Of the vocal numbers, "The Toast" sounds a bit like Pink Floyd -- it's light, with John Hackett's flute stripping away all menace from a melody line that could easily have fit on Dark Side of the Moon. Unless you own every Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes, and King Crimson album, and are looking for anything prog to further your collection, Defector isn't an album worth seeking out.
© Steve Kurutz /TiVo