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Review: |
US AOR-sters, Departure release
their third album "Corporate Wheel", the first to feature
new vocalist Timothy Lewis, and with his arrival they have
produced a CD that will appeal to fans of Journey, Two Fires
and Hugo. Comparisons with Journey are always dangerous, but
when opener "Listen To What I say" explodes through the speakers
like "Any Way You Want It", you realise that Departure are
no third rate copycats. Title track "Corporate Wheel" and
"Sacrifice" are perfectly structured keyboard/guitar based
tracks, highly flavoured with classic Journey and in particular
Hugo's debut album. The pure acoustic led ballad "Time" has
Lewis reaching a perfect Steve Perry imitation, as does the
prog tinged keyboard driven "Down On My Knees". The mid-tempo
perfection of "Every Man" and "Giving Me A Reason" are both
perfect for fans of Hugo, the latter sounding similar to "If
Your Ever Lonely" from his debut CD. The massive Perry'ish
ballad "Look in Your Eyes" closes this superb AOR album in
fine style. With a strong album like this under their belt,
Departure have the ammunition to make their mark in the world
of AOR in 2003. Highly Recommended. (Review by John Ferguson)
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