NOSTALGIA

This is a really strange album to me. On the one hand, there's a bizarre blend of styles, but mostly what one will find is progressive rock-tinged rhythm and blues music (in other words, stuff any suit could rearrange for a generic pop icon and make it a radio hit). There is no reason to be fooled by the lengthy track times, as these merely accommodate long solos over repetitive chord progressions or the reiteration of a chorus for about a hundred times. I can see why this album appeals to some, as it is not without merit, but for me, it's a tiresome ride with few thrills.

"Every Desert Got its Ocean" I was surprised with the sudden dance music that exploded from my speakers the first time I heard this album, and even more surprised by the sudden quiet acoustic guitar interlude. In my opinion, this is the strongest song on the album for several reasons, not the least of which is that there isn't much greatness in the rest of the album. Both the guitars and synthesizer are really exceptional, and I must say this is quite a mature composition.

"Repaint the Sky" This has a definite R&B feel to it, even with the synthesizer (especially with the synthesizer, really), and I could even imagine someone rapping over this. Heavy guitar and keyboards take over just over halfway through, giving way to a juvenile guitar solo (with a horrible tone, really).

"Afraid of What We Say" This song is okay, but only just. It has some lazy synthesizer, and again, a guitar tone that just doesn't fit. The lyrics seem to be ridden with cliché, and so does the music. Essentially, it sounds like 1980s progressive rock music, mainly due to the synthesizer serving as the key rhythm instrument. The problem is this business drags on for quite a long time without anything particularly fresh ever happening, until the Fleetwood Mac- like two chord chorus returns to be played ad nauseum under a really irritating synthesizer lead.

"I Want You to Know" A pleasant piano riff begins this track, which sounds great until the verses begin, and then it sounds a bit generic, a bit silly, and generally strained. The riff used in the song sounds like it belongs on a Britney Spears track.

"Over Horizon" Percussion and a variety of instruments gives this a somewhat exotic flavor, as though it could be a part of the soundtrack for a movie like 300, at least at first. For the most part, this track reminds me of Billy Sherwood music, but not quite as good; the ending sounds like a throwback to the mid 1990s anyway. If someone is in love with Yes's Open Your Eyes, he will be in love with this.

"Am I Losing Touch?" The title of this track might apply literally, as this song goes from more bland R&B-inspired music to more Sherwood-like hard rock. Later, the piece becomes a blend of disco and game show music (no joke), that tapers off suddenly to bring in something completely unrelated: Acoustic guitar over electronic R&B percussion.

"Is it Over?" That is the question I find myself asking by this point. This is another dreary, synthesizer-laced R&B song, one that just drags along, but does have a rather tasty little guitar solo early on. The music cuts off halfway through, making one think it really is over, but then it begins again. This track is literally the same tedious chord progression for a solid seven minutes, and the bass and drums that finally end the song just make me gesture emptily, and, despite my boredom, say, "That was it?"