REVOLUTIONS

Yes this album is derivative (they say so right in the liner notes, after all.........and despite what some other reviewers may claim, there is no outright plagiarism here), yes Rob Reed shouldn't try to sing. But aside from these two issues, this is quite enjoyable to listen to.

If you expect exactly what Reed tells you to expect (a modern album that strives in every way to recreate the sound and style of 70's progressive rock) then you will probably enjoy this. If you are looking for something new and different then you should probably just borrow it from a friend or not bother with it at all.

But for myself, I quite like the album. It's not a favorite, but it's something fun and easy to listen to once in a while when I don't feel like listening to something challenging. It is a nice melding of Renaissance and Yes, primarily, with a few other obvious 70's prog style tossed in (ELP and Gensis for instance). But if you like the first two bands, and want to hear a tribute of original compositions that are done in a blend of those two bands styles, this will do the trick. At least, it does for me. The playing is excellent, the composing is very good, and the guest guitar solos are quite good (Rosser sounding more like Howe than anyone I've ever heard). I can't really point to any particular song (or rather, epic) as being the best or worst. All are of a decent quality and all do what they were intended to do.........remind you of your favorite 70's bands. As I mentioned above, the only real complaint I have is with Reeds rather terrible vocals. When he and Christina sing together, it works okay (though still would be better if she just did the harmony to herself) but with Reed singing alone it can be almost painful. That said, it doesn't ruin the music for me.

I wanted to give this 3.5 stars, because I like it better than the next album, which I gave 3 stars to. But I can't round up, because this really isn't essential either. So a solid 3.5, rounded down to 3, indicating an a very good but not quite essential album. If you are looking for a tribute to the good old days of prog done in a what these bands might have created had they kept on making prog type of style, then this would be a good one to get.