[kj] So new album..where does it stand

[TB]

Alex Smith wrote:

I like "Depthcharge," but it did seem a bit reminiscent of, say, "Asteroid." Not a bad thing, but no ground broken.
Here's a bold thread. Least favorite song on new album?

I'll say "Honour the Fire."
 
Yours?
 
Alex in NYC

+++++++++++++++++++

I agree. HTF is pretty generic sounding rawk to me.  Instrumentally, it sounds like an out-take off Van Halen's "Balance" album.

Otherwise, this album is more or less better than I really thought it'd be even after hearing some of the tracks over the last couple months.  It comes together as a coherent album a lot better than I thought it would considering the different styles.  I still get a sense there's at least three distinct periods over the past 18 months these songs can ber grouped into and not just stylistically, but a general "feel" in the music.  For instance, "Fresh Fever" has a sharp, live in the studio feel to it where the listener can almost feel the newness of the band playing together again fresh off the reunion tour while HTF and Singularity notably feel a bit too labored over and sterile in comparison, something a band suffering from being cooped up in a studio too long would produce.

But really, I am totally happy that not only did this lineup actually stick together to release a new album, but produced a record that I'd put up in the top 3 or 4 best albums they've ever released.  I really hope they play at least 2/3rds of the material live this tour.

T.B.