LOVE REMAINS THE SAME

I find that, on this album, when the Von Hertzen Brothers strive toward traditional progressive rock, the result isn't nearly as satisfying as the band's catchier, less complicated rock music. The simpler tunes are just excellent. The more "progressive" songs tend to have a lack of flow. That said, there is plenty to enjoy here, especially for Heavy and Neo-Prog and fans. Standout tracks for me are "Somewhere in the Middle," "Silver Lover," and "I Came for You."

"Bring Out the Sun (So Alive)" Light, swirling tones wash over the listener in the beginning of the album before beautiful harmonies take over- an excellent build, but unfortunately anticlimactic. Midway through, a quiet synthesizer lead emerges. Intense rock with generally light vocals pummels the listener.

"Spanish 411" As the name implies, this Spanish-flavored song has rapid verses with hushed harmonies underneath. The electric guitar chunks out the strident chords. The music behind the trumpet sounds just like a segment from Yes' "The Remembering (High the Memory)."

"Freedom Fighter" There's far too much going on here, with jarring guitar riffs, an overabundance of drum fills, and shrill vocals. It becomes increasingly painful toward the end.

"Somewhere in the Middle" A gritty guitar performance over soft bass and keyboards kicks off a soft passage on the album. The vocals are initially sung over quiet piano before the rest of the band enters. The melody is excellent and soars, reminiscent in content and tone of The Flower Kings; it is a very nice progressive pop rock tune.

"In the End" This is a decent moderate rocker with good electric guitar riffs and a catchy hook.

"Faded Photographs" I'm rather reminded of It Bites with this one. The vocals are gritty but melodic, and the instrumentation is appropriate, complementing the singing.

"Silver Lover" Moving in a more acoustic direction, this is a happier tune with exotic traces. It feels like "Reason to Be" by Kansas. It picks up and adopts a very different, heavier feel.

"I Came for You" This song possesses a quiet, Porcupine Tree-like middle passage. The repeated line "Are you ready now?" is evocative and perfect for the piece.

"The Willing Victim" The gentlest song on the album was saved for last, it seems. The vocals remain soft and airy, as does the music. The final three minutes bursts into an arena rock "power ballad," complete with the obligatory screaming guitar solo.