Hammill, Peter - 1991 - The Fall Of The House Of Usher

Hammill began work on The Fall of the House of Usher back in the early '70s, yet it didn't see the light of day until the early '90s as a hard-to-find European import. He didn't feel it was completely finished until 1991; hence its elongated delay. This rock opera is comprised of six acts, and is based on an Edgar Allan Poe tale with small changes to the story here and there. Unlike Hammill's other material, which is based on progressive rock, Usher has its roots in classical music. Still, it's a safe bet that longtime Hammill and prog-rock fans won't be disappointed with this classical experiment. There are lots of sweeping, churchlike a cappella vocals, which convey nearly all the album's melodies, whereas most rock fans would expect guitars and keyboards to carry out at least some of that task. Synthesizers and drums don't show up until several numbers in, so don't expect to be automatically drawn in. It takes a few listens to grasp the music and the storyline (Chris Judge Smith worked with Hammill on the libretto), with a few highlights being the early Genesis-sounding "The Herbalist" and the soothing "That Must Be the House," to name just a few.

		1		An Unenviable Role Act One; [The Road to the House of Usher]
		2		That Must Be the House Act One; [The Road to the House of Usher]
		3		Architecture Act Two; [Within the House of Usher]
		4		The Sleeper Act Two; [Within the House of Usher]
		5		One Thing at a Time Act Two; [Within the House of Usher]
		6		I Shun the Light Act Two; [Within the House of Usher]
		7		Leave This House Act Two; [Within the House of Usher]
		8		Dreaming Act Three; [Immediately Following]
		9		A Chronic Catalepsy Act Three; [Immediately Following]
		10		The Herbalist Act Three; [Immediately Following]
		11		The Evil That Is Done Act Three; [Immediately Following]
		12		Five Years Ago Act Four; [The Following Morning]
		13		It's Over Now Act Four; [The Following Morning]
		14		An Influence Act Four; [The Following Morning]
		15		No Rot Act Four; [The Following Morning]
		16		She Is Dead Act Five; [Dawn the Next Day]
		17		Beating of the Heart Act Six; [Three Days Later]
		18		The Haunted Palace Act Six; [Three Days Later]
		19		I Dared Not Speak Act Six; [Three Days Later]
		20		She Comes Towards the Door Act Six; [Three Days Later]
		21		The Fall Act Six; [Three Days Later]

¡Aquí!