There's a lack of dynamism, excitement and most importantly great songs to raise this above mediocrity.

Germany's Progressive Modern Rock band Siamese Smile appeared to have all the right attributes to move forward in the genre after a promising debut album 'Modern Pyre' back in 2014, but ultimately fall short on this sophomore release due to a lack of decent songs or palpable hooks and a dull vocal delivery.

From the outset 'The Cause' hints at the amateurish nature of the album, the complex 'Obstacles' features some interesting guitar intricacies and time changes, and yet, the melody and chorus are disappointing.

The pacey 'Sleep.Deprive.' is an improvement in terms of its chorus but it's mediocre at best, whilst the title track instead of being the standard-bearer for the album ends up as the height of meandering dullness which can mainly be attributed to the droning vocal delivery.

There's no doubt about it, the guitar work is standout, and yet, for a Progressive band, there's a lack of dynamism, excitement and most importantly great songs to raise this above mediocrity.

Mike Newdeck