JUGGLING 9 OR DROPPING 10

This was the first album of the band I heard...in a store in Paris, some years ago. I remember perfectly that moment, because it was the exact moment that I felt in love with this prog (?) band. the first notes of the opener Paint the Picture seem to copy Xanadu from Rush, and it's not only an impression, because the influence of canadian trio is very clear also in the rest of the album. Rough Draft and What to say, are perfect examples of what means be proressive in the 90's...melodical, powerful voices, hypnotic bass (Geddy Lee again!) Bite my tongue....the best song they've ever written...with a sensational tango section in the middle. and, if color fade is nothing but a filler, however juggling knives and black eyes & broken glass are here to demonstrate that the band is mature to re-write the speech of Rush. the last five tracks are a little bit repetitive...so the mood of the album is strongly taken to an early boredom.....what a pity!!this means one mark at least!