Steve Rothery
The Ghosts of Pripyat

Steve Rothery may be more known for his role as guitarist in the colourful progressive rock band Marillion than he is for his solo work. In fact this is his first solo album by this Steve and his band. Funny thing about this release is that there are two guests named Steve (Hackett) and Steven (Wilson), so most of the guitarists names are beginning with Steve. The album summons the ghosts of Pripyat, a city built for workers in and around the world-famous nuclear power plant Chernobyl. A city that is now being mercilessly reclaimed by nature and maybe also by the ghosts.

Instrumental progressive rock music is what this album is all about. Very melodic, fairly diverse and varied, well performed and a quality production all the way through. It is an album that brings out a storyline, kind of like a movie soundtrack rather than a musical album. It has depth and brings out dramatic sounds, and it is still kept simple and fairly easy to take in. I think that it certainly can be described as a very well made album, and also one that can be fairly easily anticipated in terms of style considering Rothery’s background.

I think that it is a good album, solid and strong – I would have liked vocals as I think it would have added to the album. The production is excellent. The sound is good and the album has what one can want from an album in this style. There is a weakness of this album and that is that it lacks a little bit of dynamics and soon becomes a background soundtrack rather than something I actively listen to, it is too easy to wander away in mind and forget that this album is running. I like the atmosphere and the mood, it is a good listen but I think it works best as background when I am doing something else – like writing this review.

None of the songs stand out for me, for better or worse, it is a well made album no one can say anything else. No one can say that it is anything but a good and enjoyable album but it just doesn’t grab my undivided attention, it is one of those very well made album that doesn’t quite reach all the way. I don’t think anyone will be disappointed with this album – it has what one can expect, nothing more and nothing less and I know that whoever picks up this album won’t be disappointed.

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