Just got through my first listen-through of RR and am well impressed. Have only listened in the car though, so balance wouldn\'t have been right - I may change my mind later!!
Overall first impression:
When did the guys learn to sing like this - talk about a quantum leap from previous releases? Let those cretins on PT dare say the boys can\'t sing now. Very good production on the whole (see below) and the band has tried to develop the songs in the studio in a way which would be difficult live. Overall, an 8.5/10
Individual songs:
Inner Glimpse - thought the production was a bit flat. Maybe I\'ve heard it too many times. Good version, though.
Vera Street - absolutely perfect. Got to agree on this with dave in the poll thread - it wasn\'t going to be the track I was looking forward to, but after listening to it once, I skipped back and listened again - not many songs I do that for on anyone\'s albums.
Sleeping Beauty - a fantastic hybrid of vintage pb and where the boys are now - bits of everything I love about the band.
Doughboy - not enough Ron in the production. His bass is what makes the song for me. However, the keyboard fade is super-ser.
Gravity - great perormance of a great song - great solo
No Regret - still not too sure about this song. Some days I love it, others not - must have been an upday today though because I suddenly realised it was the end of the song.
Fairy - this song has developed very well in recent months and they\'ve done it justice in the studio. Though Pevar\'s solo seemed a bit low in the mix.
Score - horns add a 70s funkiness to it - another potential single. I would love to see that one live with the horns
Dimension 5 - not a song I know that well, but this one\'s great. It reminds me a bit of modern Green Day/Busted style punk - would probably do well as a single with a slightly crisper vocal mix
Fresh Cut - loved it even more than the two versions I have from Toad\'s and O\'Dwyers - which is difficult!!
The Grand Scheme Of Things - was always going to be difficult to judge this one; we all had such high hopes. Playing is awesome and I have a feeling this one might rise up my list of RR favourites.
