BELIEF IN THE MACHINE

1) There is a very smoothly spacey and atmospheric layer of keyboards throughout. 2) Keyboard leads are very similar to those heard on Floyd's classic album "Wish You Were Here". 3) Most of the electric guitar leads sing and soar expressively in the style of David Gilmore. 4) Even the lead vocals are lushly understated with a timbre surprisingly similar to that of David Gilmore. 5) There is a certain melancholy vibe which resides in a moody territory close to that of classic Pink Floyd

This music has some differences from Pink Floyd that are worth noting.

1) Spoken word passages will call to mind memories of The Moody Blues. 2) Some of the passages which feature flute performances by Sarah Young may evoke memories of The Moody Blues or Camel (but not Jethro Tull IMO). 3) On this album, Rick does a better job of presenting a coherent story line for this concept album than Pink Floyd ever did. 4) Despite a similar melancholy vibe shared with Pink Floyd, this music from Rick Miller feels more fueled by a social stance which believes that a "better fate" can be achieved if citizens heed warnings from artistic works which explore depictions of oppression resulting from misunderstandings of and mistreatment of non-conformity. (In contrast, Pink Floyd's music sometimes depicts struggles with undercurrents of sarcasm, bitterness, fear, hopelessness, self-loathing and insanity.) Thus, this album, while weighty in subject matter and stylistically similar to Pink Floyd, is more likely to leave you with a smile on your face and hope in your heart than a replay of DSotM or WYWH.

This album is very well produced and mixed. The instrumental performances are delivered effectively.

That said, listening to this album felt more like a tour of a very "well trodden" classic prog pathway than it did an exploration of anything very new or different.

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