FEEL EUPHORIA

I have to give the band credit for forging ahead and even changing their sound after Neal left. The music on this disc is exciting and shows a heavier side of the band, while remaining progressive. The singing is quite good although Nick is a bit over-emotive at times. He sounds like Steve Walsh at many moments, especially at the beginning of "A Guy Names Sid" which is very Kansas-like. My problem with this disc is with the lyrics. I think they are just awful. Classic progressive rock lyrics are usually thoughtful, cerebral, dada-esqe, whatever, but they are always intelligent. The lyrics on this album are totally throw-away, just one pop cliche after another. Trying too hard to be clever but not really saying anything. And this was always a bit of a problem with SB, though I really like their first 3 albums, the lyrics got more rubbish as time went on. Like Snow, the lyrics are forced, pop-cliches which aren't going to occupy your mind thinking about them, sung in an good but over-emotive voice which adds to the cheesiness of the whole affair. Also like Snow, the music is brilliant when the singer shuts up and lets the instrumentalists spread their wings. I don't think it's a terrible album, but would only recommend it to completists. I'm hoping for better next time but I have my doubts as Nick seems to be even cheesier than Neal in a Californian Phil Collins sort of way, wanting to sound like a pop star instead of a Prog icon. Come on guys, you're not going to get it on the radio.