Joe A

One part lush contemporary electronic music, one part signature massive guitar sound, and one part old-school synth-powered prog rock, this the kind of ambition I want to see out of my favorite band 30 years on. The mix is solid, Billy's voice has found a better position towards the front, backing vocals are masterfully executed. The instrumentation is gorgeous and intricate as always. The story is obtuse on the surface, but there's a lot going on under the surface if you're into poring over hidden messages in the lyrics. One of my only fairly minor quibbles are that a few of the rockers towards the end of the album seem staid by SP standards (I think their potential was limited by being squished into the rock opera mold). The other is a lack of opportunities for Jimmy Chamberlin to cut loose. Although there is a particular track at the denouement of the album where he goes the hsrdest he's ever had ona SP. Album.