SIR ARMY SUIT

Klaatu's superb beginning probably made it impossible to top, (how could it with such an incredible second outing as Hope), but this third album can look like a collective admission of failure to better themselves. By avoiding to make a Son-Of -Hope, this was maybe a courageous move, but this stepping back was also admitting defeat and furthermore, the quality of their debut was not even approached either. From the start, things were not right, as they hated Hugh Syme's artwork (of Rush fame - I for one, do not think this artwork is bad at all: certainly not as superb as Hope, but certainly better than their future albums), as they finally decoded to drop the mask and are represented on the back cover and in the inside sleeve. There is still the famous Klaatu sun reference, but clearly the band is walking away from it and therefore away from most progheads and me.

Most of the tracks are still in the pop realm hovering between Beatles, ELO and 10 CC, but simply fails to reach the brilliant levels of previous albums. Apparently capitol made a strong investment in promoting the album, but to my remembrances, this album sank without a trace - to the image of their single A Routine Day: it was alright!! It must be said that by now, the Beatles influences were working against them and punk was also sweeping thiongs up across the pond. This is still finely chiselled and crafted pop tunes, but the inventivity was simply not there and no magic happening either. If Woloschuk gad taken the main share of the songwriting in Hope, here he will gladly let Dee Long that the better half of it, but Woloschuk's contribution do not raise the level of the album. Just the final track is above the mediocre level, silly Boys, but it is synthetically-derived from their very first track (dating from 73), Hanus of Uranus, even if it does hold some resemblances to the track from their debut album, their reworking of it is quite different, but hardly worth the investment in this poor album.

Please note that the 25 th anniversary edition of this album avoids to reprint the impressive inside sleeve photo montage showing their three faces emerging from a sea of fog. An average pop album, with very few to please the proghead, but much worse is to come.