ONE IN A MILLION

Not very commercially named, Poverty' no crime are criminally underrated. They are not groundbreaking or flashy, just melodic progressive hard rock/metal with emphasis on the compositions and good lyrics. I know that's not much of a description, but when they stick to their strength of 7-minute songs, there is not a note excessive or out of place. Volley Wasserman doesn't have much range, but is a smooth and pleasant singer, who can croon or sing more forcefully. I'd say they were more hard rock than metal, if not for the wall of the guitars.

On their fourth album, PNC's songs are slightly more progressive of a song-within-a-song variety, and with more solos than on earlier albums. In addition to the 4 epics, there are 4 power rockers, with fluid lead guitar lines complemented for contrast with some chugging riffs. A downside is a kind of a flat and garage-y production. They would finally get a top notch production on their fifth, and best album. Overall, a very solid release, as always with these guys.