AD: RECONSTRUCTIONS

This was the third offering from the 1980's group AD founded by Kerry Livgren. I should note hear that this is now called Reconstructions Reconstructed. The album has not been in print for years and the CD version was replaced with this one. As stated the original was recorded and released in 1986 by 4 of the five original members. Warren Ham had left the group but returned to do all the vocals on the last AD Prime Mover. So that leaves with tenor Mike Gleason to sing here. While Mike has a great voice there was a reason Kerry had two lead singers. Warren had that great blues voice that would have helped tremendously on a song like Exiles and Life of Crime. Mike tries but doesnt have that kind of power behind his voice.

Other thoughts on this one are the music is professionally played but like many groups in the 1980's the prog sections are shortened and sometimes veiled. You really have to listen closely to hear them. Even though most of this CD was re-recorded there seems to be those cheesy 80's keyboards lurking behind every corner. This album is very poppy. The vocals and hooks are very much 80's pop/rock although the music is a lot more adventurous than the majority of that camp. If you can get past those trappings there are some excellent songs here. The aforementioned Exiles and Life of Crime as well as No Standing which is a great ballad in the vien of Dust in the Wind with keyboard violins! Other highlights are Walking the Wire with a great Dave Hope bass line. We Draw the Line is a great little rocker. Of the three bonus tracks Bright Star is the best. A great piano/flute (keyboard) intro and has the most proggy musical breaks.

All in all not a bad recording. The remastering/re-recording helps it a lot. If you are interested in Livgren I would suggest you try Collectors Sedition or Art of The State before trying this one. 3 stars.