BOOK II

Rausch the band is led by Doug Rausch (vocals, keyboards), and this is the second release (following on from the debut in 2010). The actual band line-up is completed by Joe Fine (bass), Gary Wehrkamp (guitar/bass) and Chris Ruffini (drums) while guests include Mark Zonder (Fates Warning), Ryo Okumoto (Spock's Beard) and guitarist Brendt Allman (Shadow Gallery) among others.

This is a bloody excellent album, one that I have enjoyed playing a great deal, yet I'm not sure if it is ever going to gain the kudos it deserves. Musically it has a lot in common with City Boy, Queen and 3rd Degree with plenty of piano-based soft melodic prog rockers which are real songs, that are stacked full of commercial riffs and great vocals. I've even found myself singing some of the songs from the album around the house, something that happens incredibly rarely. It doesn't seem to matter which track I am listening to, as whatever one that is, is definitely my favourite of the moment. This is a truly superb album which will appeal to lovers of all type of melodic music as they switch from bombastic rock to acoustic guitar into something more rocky then let piano take control and drive it all along. This truly is a wonderful album that makes me smile each and every time I play it, and isn't that sometimes all we need?