REVOLUTION ROAD

After a long absence, ROCKET SCIENTISTS released their fourth album, Revolution Road in 2006. Musically, it follows in the same vein as Oblivion Days, but also explores several different avenues.

The band is joined by new drummer Gregg Bissonette, along with an appearence from Simon Phillips and the late Shaun Guerin on ''Better View. Another new element, which I found very interesting and entertaining was the recruitment of new vocalist David McBee, who brings a hard rock vibe to the table with his gruff vocals on six of the songs. I think that this keeps things fresh, and to be truly progressive, a band must tread into new territories.

Their signature sound is still present, from the hard rock/ metal vibes of ''Sky is Falling'' and ''Dream in Red'', and the ballads like ''Enjoy the Weather'' and ''Better View''. Don Schiff proves he is still one of the best Stick maestros around on cuts like ''Outside the Painted Walls'' and ''Hold That Thought'', while Erik Norlander stakes his claim on ''Look Up'' and ''Ptolemy''. Mark McCrite's guitar skills are as good as ever, especially on their cover of the Moody Blues' ''Gypsy''. And as always, his vocals are soothing and easy on the ears.

All in all, this is ROCKET SCIENTISTS' best album. Just one listen of the soft epic ''After the Revolution'', and listening to all of the diversity present on Revolution Road, it's hard to argue.