Return of the Durutti Column

The second full-length release by the revered Manchester label Factory Records (the first being Joy Division's UNKNOWN PLEASURES), THE RETURN OF THE DURUTTI COLUMN is, in fact, the debut album by the post-punk act, essentially a solo vehicle for guitarist Vini Reilly. Aided considerably by visionary producer Martin Hannett, Reilly uses RETURN as a platform for his chiming instrumental pieces, tracks that fully showcase his dexterous, and often delicate, electric guitar playing. Highlights of this mesmerizing record include the gauzy, chirping "Sketch for Summer" and its darker counterpart, "Sketch for Winter," as well as "Conduct," which grounds the floating atmosphere with a bit of rock percussion. For anyone interested in the Durutti Column, THE RETURN OF. is indispensable.