THE REVÖLUTION BY NIGHT

Looking at the year this album was released, you wouldn't say it's bad at all. As all the previous effort of the band has both good and mediocre moments. Considering it's the first studio album without the contribution of drummer-singer-songwriter Albert Bouchard, I have to admit that the album has passed the test of my evaluation but it's far from being excellent.

As I said, conventional hard rocking numbers are many, starting off with the opener "Take Me Away" (which is good). The longest tune feature another collaboration with Patti Smith: I'm speaking of "Shooting Shark", a nice song with more than a poppy feel.

"Shadow of California" is, on the other hand, darker and pompous at the same time. Sound has changed again respect to the previous album but I think this is another classic left forgotten on a corner. On a similar vein "Feel the Thunder". Both good, "Let Go" reminds me of "Cultosaurus Erectus" while the closer "Light Years of Love" feature an acoustic guitar (the first time was with "In Thee" the radio friendly on Mirrors). "Dragon Lady" and "Veins" are pretty decent, especially the last one.

2,75 stars rounded up to 3.