SOMEWHERE BUT YESTERDAY

I used the term "cargo cult Genesis" in my review of the first Citizen Cain album, and it still vaguely applies to the second one - the band replicate the musical approach and mannerisms of Genesis, though this time around they at least offer a better musical backing. Whereas on Serpents In Camouflage the band had a bad habit of going "all solos, all the time" and not stringing their musical sections together into a cohesive composition, this time around they do a much better job. The result is that the music still sounds like Genesis and is a bit calmer and less manic than previously, but also feels like it takes you on a proper emotional journey rather than being a bunch of random prog nonsense slung together.

With the improved production also helping things, if you are fond of this particular style of retro-neo-prog you will most likely enjoy this album. I still think that Cyrus' vocal approach is sometimes a detriment rather than an asset to the band, however - in particular, he has a two minute unaccompanied monologue at the end of the title track (the section entitled A Word In Your Ear) which is absolutely tedious. (Dear lead vocalists everywhere: if your vocal skit lasts longer than thirty seconds, save it for your spoken word album.)