THE FUTURE BITES

My first listening session of this album was disappointing despite that I knew what direction Steven had decided to go. But when I listened to the music in surround, it grows on me probably because I was putting more attention into that environment. Suddenly, the vocals and the electronic effects had more meaning when it's coming from everywhere. From the beginning of the album with the two first tracks, we are not too far from the same mood of some songs from the previous album. There is a lot of vocals effects and multiple chanting parts that drive the melody through a sometimes ambient atmosphere and at other times in some Pop music mode. The song ''Eminent Slaze'' has some Prince and Frankie Goes to Hollywood style of music, and starting with ''Personal Shopper'' there is some addictive groove at an upbeat pace, that will continue in the next song. There is some guitar on this album despite being an electronic album but nothing to compare to his past material as a solo artist. The last song ''Count of Unease'' is a peaceful ending at a slow pace with piano and vocals that as the ambient atmosphere of the song ''Raven that Refuse to Sing''. However, it's a bit frustrating that Steven has not included in the Blu-Ray edition some good songs only available on the Deluxe edition. What rating should I give to this kind of album on a Prog Web site? It's an excellent addition to your music collection, not Prog but who says everything good has to be Prog.