TALK

Yes totally aren't playing fair here. Opening with one of the most melodic, driving, groove-laden and CATCHY songs I've ever heard, lead track THE CALLING is a total earworm. It's got a hook that embeds itself in your brainpad and stays there for days. Couple that with the fact that Jon is singing better than ever, it's a sure shot for one of the best songs I've ever heard; no mean feat.

I AM WAITING is almost power-balladish. Beautiful guitars, great Hammond playing by Tony, and once again, a lead vocal to die for. Jon is singing wonderfully here, with lyrics about believing in love set against an arrangement that is at once pastoral yet aggressive.

After all this, the rest is gonna be a buzzkill, right? Not totally. WALLS is soft prog, with, once again, a wonderful vocal and great vocal interplay from Anderson and Rabin. If Rabin wanted to take center stage, this is where he did it. And he did a BRILLIANT job. STATE OF PLAY has a driving drum groove, slashing guitars, and a neat little acoustic breakdown. I give it 4 stars. It's no CTTE or TFTO (two of my faves), but it's definitely up there with some of their best work.