CONFRONTATION

State Urge's Confrontation is yet another example of bombastic Neo Prog band sullied by their computer cleanliness and their use of prog-by-numbers sounds and formulae. The production is rather weak, especially the recording/engineering of the voice. Some of the foundational riffs and chord sequences--not to mention the sound and instrument choices--are so cheesy and irritating as to make me cringe! It's all I can do to sit through a full song much less give it my "open-minded" attention. So sorry to have to offer a review like this to musicians who I'm sure are genuinely trying hard to produce something of quality. This just doesn't satisfy my standards--on any level. "Cold as Lie" is a decent song and "Before the Dawn" brings to mind country-mates SATELLITE.

Three stars, no more.