UP

I jumped in the car with a friend of mine not knowing what was in the CD player, the song Darkness started and I was immediately intrigued. Once I heard PG's voice I was shocked, not his typical fare, and I was quite enjoying it.

Darkness is a hard driving number that fits its name. One of the most artistic pieces I have heard from PG since his solo career began. Growing Up on the other hand is a little more familiar as a PG song, dance oriented but holding the listeners ear. Then a series of very somber, soulful songs, Sky Blue, No Way Out, I grieve all three hold the listener in a trance fostered by the grief of PG's loss of a friend. Then comes the rest of the album.

The Barry Williams Show is a nightmarish dive into the world of daytime TV with Barry Williams as the Springer/Povich style TV host. Yes, Springer is bad, we get it Peter. It's a concept as worn out as the shows themselves. Basically the the album is over at that point. The enjoyment of the first 5 songs is so shattered by The Barry Williams Show that it is impossible to resume the album in its presented context. Its the curse of the skip button. I actually later listened to only the last 4 songs. My Head Sounds Like That is not unlike the second 3 songs, but lacks the sense of feeling. More Than This is a radio song that seems out of place, not as much as The Barry Williams Show, but out of place anyway. Signal to Noise is the most enjoyable of the second half, with string orchestrations that renew the albums energy, but a bit to late. The Drop is a melancholy closer with PG on piano and vocals.

This album is a prime example of how a poorly placed song can really scramble an album. 5 points for the first half, 2 points for the last 4 songs, I firm shake of the finger for The Barry Williams Show.

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