Just got my copy of BSAWW, and the bonus tracks. I listened to the album 3-4 times today during my day, twice on my MP4 player and twice on my speakers at home.
My review, although late, follows, I'll just say it now to clear up any doubts, 11 out of 10 stars Joe, jackpot material.
Premonition - This starts out sounding kind like Surfing or Flying, with the talking in the beginning, but quickly reminds me of Mind Storm or Mountain Song once it gets going, but altogether you kept a really fresh hot awesome groove going with that one, I love how it's so minor but gets me dancing every time.
Dream Song - I have had this one stuck in my head all day, so complex and so perfectly pulled from dreamland. Jeff's drumming really compliments this one as he keep a really smooth groove all throughout, and Alan sounded like he was channeling the Blue Man Group with his bass, I swear it sounded like PVC pipes at times. The pre-chorus and chorus are addictive, I wish all my dreams sounded like that.
Pyrrhic Victoria - Great, just great, what more can I say, it burns all the way through with the feeling I know we have all felt at some time in our lives. The chorus is perfect beyond words for the feeling you are trying to convey.
Light Years Away - This is a really great piece, classic and forever epic, I really like the tone of the crunch on this one, it's a perfect match to make it feel real and not be so rocky that it drowns itself in it's own awesomeness, if that makes sense.
Solitude - Way too short in my opinion, great track, but I could stand for about 5 minutes of stuff like that, I found myself trying to play it and then replay it right back to back so as to create a consecutive loop, didn't work so well. This is so contemplative and deep but you hardly get time to think about something before it ends. I'm not angry, but please make a Solitude part 2...like The Power Cosmic part 1 and 2...
Littleworth Lane - I love these personal songs, I really do. This one really touched me, this is what I would want my children to remember home like. This track felt so at home and so warm, I really liked it. Into the Light has always brought tears to my eyes this one will never fail to bring a smile to my face.
The Golden Room - Andalusia and Oriental Melody had a head on collision...and it made a great sound. I have always liked your exotic stuff, and this is just one more hallmark to add to the list.
Two Sides to Every Story - This is classic you Joe, bluesy and funky, it sounds like a hold over from the your self titled disc from waaaaaay back then, but I could be wrong.
Wormhole Wizards - My personal favorite on the album, reminds me of Ceremony in many ways because it's dark and unseen, but unforgettable. The main riff is a mainstay, and it feels cool all the way through.
Wind in the Trees - I don't know yet what that tuning is but I will figure it out. The harmonics are intoxicating and the playing is flawless oh not to mention Keneally is a genius, that was a master stroke letting him have a time slot of his own...perfect way to end this great song.
God is Crying - This one piqued my interest in this album instantly when you released that short sample of it. I knew this track was going to be good once I heard that. It's full of anger...and love, rage and care...it's a perfect balance. The ending riff reminds me very much of mind storm.
Heartbeats - This is really sweet piece, not quite like anything I've heard from you before, in that, I can't place any likeness. It's beautifully inspiring song and Keneally's quite piano passages send this song right over the top.
Longing - This is a perfect song for me, not too convoluted and it flows in an emotionally perfect direction. The chorus feels like falling in love all over again, and what a wonderful feeling it is.
Perfect album Joe.
