HYMNS FOR HUNGRY SPIRITS, VOL. II

1. "Blind Eye to a Burning House" (6:55) dynamic and forceful, this song moves along as if this band has a mission on its mind. These musicians can play! Unfortunately, the music and singing are rather milk-toasty: presenting nothing new or exciting (other than their energetic performances). There's a lot here that reminds me of Jem Godfrey's more recent FROST* songs or John MItchell's ARENA. (12.75/15)

2. "The Portal and the Precipice" (3:40) more excellent musicianship presenting some pop-prog that sounds quite similar to Rush-like ART IN AMERICA (singer Daniel Graham's voice styling sounds identical to that of AIA's Chris Flynn). (8.75/10)

3. "Viper" (5:45) now here's something a little different--something that might stick with me longer than the listening of this album. Dynamic music that reminds me of both FROST* and Kevin Moore's CHROMA KEY project. (8.875/10)

4. "Inheritor" (5:23) opens like a song John Hughes would've used in one of his 1980s movie soundtracks. When Daniel Graham's voice enters it suddenly sounds totally like an ICEHOUSE song. It's very melodic and engaging--perhaps the most so of the album. A catchy CURE-like guitar solo in the third minute seals the vibe. A great 1980s pop song that will probably ring nostalgic, and, therefore, popular with a lot of folks due to all the retro-1980s stuff going on in our world right now. Unfortunately, there is no memorable lyrical hook to latch onto--just the guitar solos. (8.875/10)

5. "To Find the Light, Part Two" (19:58) after a three minute intro and another minute of extended development, the song finally finds a form and base for the vocal. The vocalist sings quite clearly and forcefully sounding very much like ICEHOUSE front man Iva Davies. The music is quite pleasant, sticking to nice melody lines, but it is constructed in a rather straightforward manner (using a single key signature, standard time signature, and 1980s ABC or LOVE AND ROCKETS sound palette). The music definitely gets heavier and more proggy if continually very simple and straightforward. The winning effect is its clear vision and consistent drive. (35.75/40)

Total Time 41:41

Drummer Jeff Matthews and keyboard player Dylan Porper have all the chops of greatness and the band is really tight, well synchronized; there just needs to be something new/different in the compositions to help them get outside the "prog-by-numbers" or "prog lite" formulae that I hear (or out of the 1980s). Still, the album has great musicianship and great engineering and production, so I hope the band will continue working, growing, and developing. I, for one, will be one of those following their evolution.

B/four stars; an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection--especially if you are a lover of the sounds of some of those 1980s Glam Rockers.

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