PAMPERED MENIAL

Fairly short, melodic and accessible songs with the focus being on the vocals. Surkamp's vocals are very similar to Geddy Lee's during the seventies, only with a warble. I think the vocals will make or break this album for most. I like them, but admit I tire of them before the album is over, probably because they are so prominant. Mellotron is all over this one, it's on every song.That should be a big plus for me but there is something about the tone of it that doesn't impress me like it usually does.

"Julia" is a ballad with some good lyrics like "You can't do much better than you, you said so yourself." Some flute before 2 minutes while piano and gentle guitar open the song. The singer sure can let it rip. "Late November" is better with prominant mellotron in this mid-paced song. I just like the way this one sounds. "Song Dance" features some raw sounding guitar and ripping vocals. Violin 3 minutes in.The vocals are probably the hardest to digest on this track. "Fast Gun" is too poppy in my opinion, not a fan. "Natchez Trace" is much better, sounding like RUSH's debut actually. Except for the piano, organ and violin of course.

"Theme From Subway Sue" has some nice sounding mellotron on it and tasteful guitar. It ends very passionantly. "Episode" is another favourite of mine. It opens with violin as reserved vocals come in. Just a good track with piano, drums and violin filling out the sound. "Preludin" is a short instrumental that sounds a little like KANSAS. "Of Once And Future Kings" is easily my favoutite song on here.The proggiest as well. This one is a ride with tempo and climate changes throughout. The guitar is outstanding. Perfect way to end the record.

I've listened to this over and over, but i'm not feeling it like most do. Mind you it wasn't part of my youth, this is my first experience with this band and album. Some great songs and some not so good songs. 3.5 stars.