EVOLUTION

After the release of their breakthrough album "Infinity", drummer Aynsley Dunbar was sacked, not by the band but by their manager. He was replaced by Steve Smith who had spent a brief period with Focus before joining Ronnie Montrose Band. Queen producer Roy Thomas Baker was once again asked to produce this album, which can be seen very much as a continuation of "Infinity". The tracks are kept short, running throughout to 3-4 minutes.

The opening instrumental "Majestic", interestingly co-written by Steve Perry, makes for a nice fanfare introduction, quickly leading into the first of the big ballads "Too late". Neal Schon adds some fine lead guitar to both these tracks, but with every song being kept short, the opportunities for extended instrumentals are long gone.

"Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'", the song which took the band into the US singles top 20 for the first time, shows another side of the band, being a mix of blues and light soul. Thereafter we slip into a succession of largely predictable AOR fair.

Bearing in mind we are still in the 1970's here, well over 30 years ago, the music remains fresh and original. We can be cynical and bemoan the lack of odd time signatures, extended jams etc., but seen for what it is this album (and its peers) is pioneering in its field.

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