ONLY PASSING THROUGH

The influence of Styx seems to remain strong even nowadays, by the conduit of a pair of Spock Beard's offsprings/side projects at least, like D'Virgilio Morse & Jennings, and Pattern-Seeking Animals.

And that sounds to me more like an asset set to produce new musical value than the useless burden of a glorious past. The unmistakably symphonic brand evoked by the name of the Chicago band doesn't exclude a good measure of folk ingredients thrown in the mix, as is the case in track 1. Everdark Mountain, and 4. Rock Paper Scissors, with a sound reminiscing of Boat On The River (specially the opener) and of Sing For The Day (but luckily without the hit-oriented eagerness). The nicely fiddling-sounding violin is a great contribution to the overall sound and the brass arrangements are still in place, but emerging with a less prominent profile. The alternance between acoustic/calmer, and electric/rockier moments is really accomplished, and the instrumental mini-beauties showing their faces from shift to shift are not all indebted with the past: there are flashes of sonic originality too, particularly on the keys department.

Summing up, if you were not too fond with the aforementioned Styx legacy, then you probably should read this like a three-star only review, meaning that this is a very good album, but not a perfect addition to your library. For all those who are not in such refusal, this is an unreserved four star.