ENGINES OF CREATION

I've enjoyed every one of GALLEON's 8 studio albums but have noticed that beginning with their debut i've given every other release 4stars and the rest 3 stars. So of course this 3 star rating was mean't to be right ? Anyway I did have high expectations for this one and to be honest they weren't met.This is the first album by this band that is lacking that charm (I don't know how else to say it) that all the others have.That familiar sound has changed.This is more modern sounding and it's heavier.This may be in part to founding member and drummer Dan Fors leaving. He has been replaced by CROSS keyboardist Goran Johnsson, yes I said keyboardist, but he does know how to drum (haha). He was the drummer in GRAND STAND years ago.This is a concept album about the bleak future of earth, perhaps the logical followup to "From Land To Ocean" then.

"A.I." is the short intro track with some soaring guitar. "The Assemblers" opens with guitar and keys before a really good full sound kicks in. Vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. An aggressive track really and the vocals have some attitiude at times. So does the guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in. "Signals" opens and closes with Morse Code. I like the pulsating keybords perhaps copying the Morse Code. "Engines Of Creation" recalls GALLEON of old when it settles when the vocals come in. Check out the chunky bass ! Outbursts of heaviness come and go. "State Insane" is fairly heavy and bombastic. A calm before 2 1/2 minutes with acoustic guitar as almost spoken words come in. Some female backing vocals here. It kicks back in before 4 minutes. Love the guitar that follows. "Fog City" has lots of synths and drums early. Vocals after a minute. Not a fan of this one. "The Cinnamon Hideaway" has a mellow intro with acoustic guitar.This is a short 2 minute instrumental. Seagulls late.

"Men And Monsters" is without a doubt my favourite track on here. Nothing is even close to this one. Vocals with drums and organ early. Spoken words before a minute followed by soaring guitar and chunky bass. It settles before 3 minutes and it's sounds so uplifting, then we get some growly bass a minute later. It's almost jazzy after 5 1/2 minutes then it turns more powerful before 7 minutes. Scorching guitar before 8 1/2 minutes. Nice. "Machine Mother" opens with aggressive guitar as drums pound. It settles some when vocals arrive.The tempo continues to shift. The guitar sounds amazing when it kicks back in after 5 1/2 minutes. "Lightworks" is the over 9 minute closer. Great intro here with guitar leading the way. It settles when the vocals come in. I really like the drumming and bass after 3 minutes. Organ floats in the background as the vocals return. It kicks back in as the song continues to change. My second favourite tune.

3.5 stars and an enjoyable listen.