Sitting Targets

Peter Hammill entered the 80s as a solo artist and without a label, yet still managed by former Charisma director Gail Colson. This link led to a (somewhat controversial) production job for Random Hold's 1980 debut album, Etceteraville, and later, briefly, a label, S-Type, that released his 1980 album A Black Box. Arranged, performed and produced by Hammill himself, it's a curious record, full of technological experimentation and odd, chunky production. For his next album, Sitting Targets, Hammill again enlisted David Lord in what must have been a larger role: sonically, the album is light years ahead of its predecessor, presenting a contemporary, if still unconventional record. The opening "Breakthrough" benefits from Guy Evans's crisp drumming, as does the following "My Experience." Layers of guitars, synths, punchy bass and compressed drums push Hammill into the 80s, while his compositions offer strangely appealing songs. "Ophelia" slows the pace, offering one of Hammill's emotive ballads, while "Empress's Clothes" and "Glue" crank up the drum-machine for more serene rides. "Hesitation" is raw, with David Jackson offering his sax. The strong title track opens the second side, while the piano-based "Stranger Still" offers one of Hammill's classic lyrics. "Sign" jumps with Evans's drums, and features Hammill's thick-toned guitar; it's the highlight. All-in-all, the album is one of Hammill's most cohesive efforts, and one fitting for the times. His next move was to form the K Group—a "beat combo" featuring Evans, bassist Nic Potter and guitarist John Ellis—to tour the album, which saw release on Virgin Records (and PVC in the US). The K Group would remain together for another three albums, all of which were built around the foundation laid here. Moving forward, Hammill would foster a solo career that was-surprise, surprise-uniquely his own. However, while others would find mainstream success in the 80s, Hammill's career would be best defined by a different measure: perseverance. One of the most prolific artists to emerge from the progressive era, Hammill continues to this day to release records to his ever-fervent fan base.