THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS

I have to start with mentioning that I've got of Neal Morse (He is an excellent musician but I just can't stand him anymore). He was one of my favourites but I listen to his works very rarely these days. I hope that won't affect my objective rate (maby I'm more objective now than back then...)

Headline: When radio meets progressive rock

The feeling I get on this album is that Neal is trying to hard to fit into the progressive genre. Maby I'm wrong, maby this wouldn't even be a progressive album if the things that bothers me was taken away. Neither of In The Mouth Of Madness, Cakewalk On Easy Street and Strange World etc. is really progressive. So whats up with all these wimpish parts that Neal creates to make a false progressive atmosphere? The intro of The Good Don't Last To Long The intro of In The Mouth Of Madness The intro of Flow (The Sound is also used further in the song to link parts together) Among other similar pieces.

This album is just pure rock with progressive music between the rock parts to make it progressive. Still the parts where there is no wimpish sounds is quite good. Strange World, True Beliver, The Good Don't Last To Long and particulary Flow is good rock music. And I belive this would be a pretty good rock album without the disturbing noices and another singer.

Rate: 2+