THE MUSE AWAKENS

The Muse may have awakened I just wish the band had done the same.This is a pedestrian and laid back album that really lacks dynamics and that adventerous spirit that Prog was all about back in the day. So yes it's great that the boys are back but I was expecting something more quirky and alive. As much as I want to comment on the two pictures of the band in the liner notes i'll try to be mature like the music here.

"Contemporary Insanity" is one of the few uptempo tracks and there's lots of keyboards here. "The Muse Awkens" is laid back and mellow with sax. It picks up some before 2 1/2 minutes. Good song. "Stepping Through Time" is relaxed early on with flute and piano. It does start to build and we get some prominant guitar 4 minutes in. "Maui Sunset" opens with the sounds of waves as pastoral music comes in and takes over. It's fuller after 2 1/2 minutes.

"Lunch At The Psychedelicatessen" is led by keys and a beat early and it builds. Some sax here too. "Slipstream" opens with piano as background synths arrive. A beat and other sounds join in on this mellow tune. "Barking Spiders" has a fusiony vibe with sax. Some energy here too for a change. "Adrift" has acoustic guitar and soft sax. A drifting track really (haha). It does kick in at 2 1/2 minutes then settles back. "Shadowlites" is the only song with vocals. It sounds great to start as the vocals join in. Good song. "Kindred Spirits" is a light tune with a relaxed beat and woodwinds. It's a little more passionate 4 minutes in. "Il Quinto Mare" opens with seagulls and waves then the piano comes in. Drums and a full sound follow.A calm 4 minutes in with water sounds,piano and more. Seagulls and waves end it.

A low 3 stars for this tame affair.