OUT OF MYSELF

Out of Myself is like the practice or warmup for that which is to come in the next two years. One can hear the potential, the evolution of sound, but the quartet--in its sum and parts--need further growth. There are compositional and engineering tricks that they have not yet learned, but which will appear with 2005's Second Live Syndrome--one of the 21st Century's crowning achievements in progressive rock music. Best song (and closest to what is to come): "The Curtain Falls" (14.5/15)

Also good: "The Same River" (22/25); and the acoustic guitar-based, "I Believe" (8.75/10) (can you hear LUNATIC SOUL here?), "Loose Heart" (8.75/10), the dreamy Steven Wilson-like, "OK" (8.75/10), and; "In Two Minds" (8.5/10).

B/four stars.