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