So here we are, some 30 years on from the debut, and the four original members continue their reunion with another album. Back in 1982 I was studying for my degree and I played their debut to death – for me every song was a triumph, and I knew the words to all of them and would happily sing along. So when I was sent this album to review I was really looking forward to it: it’s a real shame that it doesn’t live up to all my expectations. John’s vocals are as strong as ever, and of course the musicianship is second to none, but it is the quality of the songs themselves that somewhat let the band down. The choruses are repeated too often and the song structures don’t allow for the brilliance of the players to really come through.
Of course all of the harmonies and hooks are there, but there is a feeling that this has been created for radio airplay in America and in that context it could work as there are some catchy moments and it does work well when being played in a car, but in many ways this is an opportunity lost. Well produced and well played, this is an AOR album with a few prog tendencies that is for diehard fans only.
