TODAY'S REPORT

The debut albums are usually tough but this one is just amazing! The band has already established their own distinct sound and there seems to be no end to creativity. This trade mark sound will be improved on with the next releases but mostly in terms of slicker compositions since the skills are already prominent here. Today's Report starts off nicely with Abandoned World and keeps it up all the way through to Why Bother. Next is the title track which reminds me a lot of Dream Theater's The Great Debate and although this album was recorded before Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence I still prefer Dream Theater's track because of its subject and great structure. Next up is Welcome which reminds me of the track Welcome from Tommy by The Who and once again I feel that this track is inferior in comparison. Cat Eyes rounds off the tracks before the long piece Personalities and it's a very straight forward track although by no means terrible.

Personalities is the first of the so called The Long Ones which will be featured on all the next A.C.T albums with the exception of Last Epic, probably because that album is one long composition to begin with (and including its own Intro/Outro-sections). Personalities is a real treat of a composition and features a wide array of influences including progressive sections which remind me of Genesis and E.L.P..

A.C.T's music may not be for everyone due to the highly melodic and eclectic musical content but it's definitely prog which will make it an excellent addition to any progressive rock collection.

***** star songs: Abandoned World (4:04) The Wandering (5:37) The Chase (5:14) Foreplay (0:23) Piece Of Meat (1:15) Tinnitus (2:24) Lord Of Lies (2:24) Emelie (Ms. Amnesia) (2:00) Insomniac (4:38) Concluding Speech (0:34)

**** star songs: Waltz With Mother Nature (6:38) Why Bother (4:52)

*** star songs: Today's Report (4:44) Welcome (5:50) Cat Eyes (4:26)