OUT IN THE SUN

This is basically a Pop Prog album with an emphasis on the Pop side of the equation. The instrumental parts range from decent to half-decent, but the vocal parts are quite awful. The lyrics are mostly horrible. There are still some of the Latin/Brazilian influences on some tracks, but also some Jazz, Blues, Rock 'n' Roll, Pop and Disco influences! Maybe late 70's/early 80's Electric Light Orchestra is a good point of reference to this kind of music, but without any really memorable melodies! Maybe the very worst albums by the Alan Parsons Project also could give you some idea, or maybe Rick Wakeman's worst albums of the 80's (remember I'm So Straight I'm A Weirdo, anyone?)

With so many different styles explored, the album as a whole comes off as utterly disjointed and incoherent. There is basically nothing tying the different parts together. Therefore it feels more like a compilation (of leftovers?) than a genuine album effort. As I said, there are some decent instrumental moments where you can sense a progressive approach. And Moraz can really play the keyboards, as we all know. But even these better parts of the album lack anything to make them memorable or to make them stand out.

This is not a poor album in the sense that it is badly recorded or produced. But this album is evidence of poor judgement. It is an album void of anything to make it a worthy successor to The Story Of I. Therefore I can recommend this album to hard core fans and completionists only. (Or maybe to fans of Pop Prog as well?).