TRANSFORMATION

I can't give this a 5 star review only because it would put it up with Black Noise which is a classic release in the history of Canadian Prog. What I can say is, FM are truly back. Yes, it has been over 25 years since they have released a studio album. Even then, their 80's releases while enjoyable were very commercial and far from their Prog roots. FM now consists of only one original member, and that is Cameron Hawkins. Martin Deller did perform with them in the last few years at Nearfest but is replaced on drums by Paul Delong who does a stellar job and has serious cred as drummer for Kim Mitchell and Roger Hodgson. The electric violin which is such a vital component of FM's sound is ably filled in by newcomers Aaron Solomon and Ed Bernard. Opener 'Brave New Worlds' is very melodic...and idealistic..a great opener for their return. Cosmic Blue opens with fiery violin and thunderous drums and Yes like vocals and harmonies. Re-boot Re-Awaken opens with more cool drum beats backed by haunting mellotron before the electric violin kicks in. Children of Eve is a futuristic song, with more mellotron. Safe and Sound brings us into lighter territory, and admittedly not one of my favorite tracks. "Tour of Duty" is the longest track on the album. Now size isn't everything though we Proggers love our long tracks..this one truly is one of the highlights of the album. Stunning keyboard and electric violin interplay open the track..the drums the sound is very live. Lots of lively tempo changes as well. "The Love Bomb(Universal Love)" is another Yes like track...getting such a vibe like I imagine Jon Anderson and Jean-Luc Ponty's collaboration might sound like. "Soldiers of Life" is an intelligent song about the horrors of war, and album closer "Heaven On Earth" has more Yes like moments than the entire 'Heaven on Earth" the latest studio album from Yes.