ALL THIS WILL BE YOURS

3.5stars. The drum machine is keeping me from giving this 4 stars. I thought I did my homework as I'm usually not big on the albums from solo artists. Bruce does everything here which is fine and I checked to see that it wasn't all acoustic and it's not. Samples are added here and there and we get some piano but plenty of atmosphere at times which I like. Great lyrics as usual but when the drums became upfront it was like "No Bruce!" Why? Gavin Harrison made such a change to your band's sound! You know the importance of drums! Still this is such a good album but there's three maybe four tracks that the machine ruins for me. But I have a top four.

"The Secrets I Know" the short opener opens with atmosphere that builds as acoustic guitar joins in then vocals. A beautiful song and we get some piano and samples late. "Our Gravest Threat Apart" sounds like it could have been on "Versions Of The Truth" with that urgent rhythm and vocals. There's a sample of an unknown guy singing out in the street at one point. "You Hear The Voices" opens with atmosphere and distant sirens before a beat with acoustic guitar and piano takes over. It's more intense a minute later with vocals. Great sound here, best on the album. The closer "One Day I Will Leave You" rounds out my top four. Again the brilliant lyrics but how about that spacey opener with acoustic guitar. It settles when the vocals arrive.

I just can't pull the trigger on that fourth star in good conscience despite being a huge fan.