Album of the Day

Ice Cream Genius, by H (1997): "H" is the working name of Marillion vocalist/reserve keyboardist Steve Hogarth (it helps to distinguish him from the band's other Steve, guitarist Rothery). While I like H in his role with Marillion, I've never really warmed up much to this, his lone solo album to date. In spite of assistance from some very talented guys (XTC's Dave Gregory and Porcupine Tree's Richard Barbieri, among others), most tracks just never really get going. Although the spacious ambient tones of "The Evening Shadows" are a good start, things rarely progress from there (the industry satire "You Dinosaur Thing" aside). Kind of disappointing - evidence that sometimes the parts of the whole aren't as interesting separated out on their own.