DUKE

I think that people highly discredit this album for the very minimal amount of soft rock material found on this album, the only real pop song on this album is 'Misunderstanding'. I find that track is be good but nothing amazing, however it fits on this album. Behind the Lines is a powerful opener that starts off the Dukes Suite, it has great lyrics, great drum patterns and powerful chord progressions. Continuing through the Dukes Suite we get hit with an emotional powerhouse, Duchess. Duchess opens with great drum machines that actually fits really well on this album, the chords come into play and start the roll into the meat of the song. Powerful lyrics, good harmonies, huge keys and a continuation of the concept. Guide Vocal is a piano interlude that continues the Suite, it has lyrical depth and gorgeous chords, and yet people consider this a pop number, why? Not a clue, seriously not a clue. Man of Our Times is a Rutherford track and it definitely fits on this wonderful album, this emotion on this song is top notch. The chords are great, the instrumentation is good, and overall it's a very well written song. Misunderstanding is a bit of a pop number, but on this 60 minute album, this 3 minute song is really not worth much for calling this album pop, in the length of the album, 3 minutes are pop, it's nonsense to call this album pop for 3 minutes. Misunderstand is a fairly catchy song with good chords and simple yet effective playing, I like this track nonetheless, its good to like other genres. Heathaze is the next track for the Suite, a beautifully written Banks track with great chords, emotional lyrics and a warm atmosphere that really defines the album. The instrumentation on this song is subtle but it is beautifully written so I can forgive it. Turn It On Again is the other song people just write off as a pop song even though it is a soft rock song in an odd time, 13/4 to be exact. I guess people can call this a pop song, but again its 3 minutes on a 60 minute album, ok... so 10% of this album is arguably pop? Still doesn't make it pop. Alone Tonight is another Rutherford song that is again, beautifully written. It's a more soft rock piece but it's still a great song with amazing lyrics. Cul-De-Sac is another Banks piece that fits with songs like Heathaze, this song kind of sounds like Man of Our Times and Heathaze in one, with some more Banks magic done here. Please Don't Ask, probably one of the most emotional songs on this emotional masterpiece by this amazing band. The lyrics hit hard with a deep subject, not being able to see your own kids. The chords fit the lyrics, making this song a combination of Lyrical and Musical emotion, that's what makes this album great. Dukes Travels is this mostly instrumental track that reprises Guide Vocal. This song is basically a keyboard solo, need I say more? Dukes End reprises the first half of Behind The Lines, and ends this album brilliantly.

So what are my overall thoughts on this album? Probably this bands most emotional album. This album has a raw and real concept, the album overall has very well written songs and just beautiful lyrics throughout. Sorry, but the reality is, this is the last masterpiece by the band. Wind and Wuthering might be a great album, but it wasn't the last great album, this was.