← Back

In a Foreign Town

by Peter Hammill

Released: November 21, 1988

Art rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Reissue.

The Album

"In a Foreign Town" is the sixteenth studio album by English singer-songwriter Peter Hammill, originally released in 1988 on Enigma Records and later reissued on Hammill's own Fie! The album has received mixed reactions from fans, with some critiquing its 1980s rhythm tracks and production as dated. Despite this, the album is appreciated by others for its political engagement.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

It addresses various issues, including apartheid in "Sun…

It addresses various issues, including apartheid in "Sun City Nightlife," big business in "Sci-Finance (Revisited)" (a reworking of the Van der Graaf Generator song "Sci-Finance" from Vital), and global politics in "Hemlock." The track "Time to Burn" serves as a tribute to Tony Stratton Smith, who passed away shortly before the album's release.

Additionally, the song "This Book" is a cover…

Additionally, the song "This Book" is a cover of "Abrir y Cerrar" from the 1986 album Bandido by Spanish artist Miguel Bosé, with Hammill credited as a co-writer on several tracks.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Peter Hammill - In a Foreign Town

Open in Albums Gallery

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"In a Foreign Town" is the sixteenth studio album by English singer-songwriter Peter Hammill, originally released in 1988 on Enigma Records and later reissued on Hammill's own Fie! label. The album has received mixed reactions from fans, with some critiquing its 1980s rhythm tracks and production as dated.

Despite this, the album is appreciated by others for its political engagement. It addresses various issues, including apartheid in "Sun City Nightlife," big business in "Sci-Finance (Revisited)" (a reworking of the Van der Graaf Generator song "Sci-Finance" from Vital), and global politics in "Hemlock." The track "Time to Burn" serves as a tribute to Tony Stratton Smith, who passed away shortly before the album's release. Additionally, the song "This Book" is a cover of "Abrir y Cerrar" from the 1986 album Bandido by Spanish artist Miguel Bosé, with Hammill credited as a co-writer on several tracks.