UK

Some nice moments, but basicaly it's an attempt at commercial mainstream succes, nothing wrong with that, but after reading some very excited reviews I expected something better. The vocals from John Wetton are alright, but it seems so flat and uninspired, he did better on Asia's debut, or with his participation on Uriah Heep. Holdsworth obviously is a great guitar player, but only on occasion does he let it rip, and adds more than just basic background noodling, combined with the synthesiser sound it is nice but not really exciting. Bill Bruford adds his five percent for nothing lay low drum rhythms to the mix, and wettons bass is hardly present.

Harsh statement I can hear you all think, well maybe it is, but aside some good moments I am quite bored by this album. Let's see if I can find some light on this album, to counterpoint the negative vibes I've been giving this in nature fine band. For the most part U.K. plays a very accesable pop/jazz/fusion type of rock music, larded with pointy keyboard rhythmics, with some very fine guitar play on occasion.

The Good songs 1. In The Dead Of Night, a poppish keyboard intro, with some nice bass and good singing from wetton, this song already reminds me of Wetton's later band Asia, but more focused on Jazz than the plain rock of that. 3. Presto Vivace and reprise, as the name indicates this song is actually a continuation from In The Dead of Night, so logically I find it equally good, well slightly better actually since the rock aspect of Holdsworth guitar are a bit more upfront. 8. Mental Medication starts very soft, but the instrumental section in the middle features some great guitar parts, very nice really.

The rest of the songs each have some nice moments scattered through the songs, but bassicaly the most parts are quite boring. since the average rating is quite high, I might be missing something, but you can't like everything. try it if you like soft melodic pop/fusion, or Holdsworth guitar play, maybe you'll hear what I am missing.

PEACE OUT