OCTANE

I do think this is better than "Feel Euphoria" but there are still songs I can't get into. The first seven tracks are part of a mini concept, these songs relay a man's thoughts as his life flashes before his eyes (while he's dying) after getting into a car accident. I found this very interesting, and for the most part well done. I just think they did an excellent job with the lyrics and notes with this suite. The music for me is hit and miss though.

"The Ballet Of Impact" opens perfectly with mellotron strings, before some theremin and then a full sound comes in. Mellotron is back a minute later with piano to follow. Drums and mellotron 3 minutes in before vocals arrive. Gilmour-like guitar and mellotron before it ends. Just an amazing track ! "I Wouldn't Let It Go" features strummed guitar and vocals. It gets fuller but this is all about the lyrics. Female spoken words and organ end it. "Surfing Down The Avalanche" is where they "rock it" pretty good. Deep bass and an almost sludgy sound 1 1/2 minutes in. Love that section. "She Is Everything" opens with some atmosphere as mellotron comes and goes. Vocals 2 minutes in followed by more mellotron. Some meaningful lyrics on this one. Beautiful guitar 5 minutes in. "Climbing Up that Hill" is a good song with some excellent drumming and bass throughout. The vocals sound different on this one. I like it !

"Letting Go" for me is the absolute highlight on this album. Sure it's less than 2 minutes but it's so emotional as the mellotron flows beautifully. "Of The Beauty Of It All" features reserved vocals and is laid back. Mellotron and heavy drums come in around 1 1/2 minutes. It's uplifting after 3 minutes when the trumpets come in. He died. "NWC" opens with lots of atmosphere. Mellotron a minute in as minor riffs come and go. Tempo picks up with some crazy synths. "There Was A Time" features strummed guitar and vocals. Mellotron comes in. Full sound 1 1/2 minutes in. Not a fan. "The Planet's Hum" sounds great after a minute when the heaviness arrives. Organ, bass and drums stand out. It does lighten. "Watching The Tide" is a song I can't get into at all. Maybe if Neal was singing ? Not sure about that. Piano and high pitched vocals. "As Long As We Ride" is better.

3.5 stars. I like this record quite a bit actually. It's just hard not to compare it with what went before when rating it.