The Yes/Asia/GTR-guitarist Steve Howe's new solo album Spectrum is quite a letdown... already from the beginning the music is somewhat colourless and doesn't succeed in riveting its listener. Nonetheless, there are few better tunes on this album among the apathetic up-beat songs (that's correct, Howe has managed to record up-beat tunes that don't lift up the mood of the listener).

As a carefree background music on the summer days, this album is ok, but otherwise the material doesn't have a lot to offer. Regardless, the few songs that are better make this album a bit more compelling to listen to in the long run... for example, "Band of Light", "Ragga of Our Times", "Hour of Need" and "Where Words Fail" are a notch better than the other tunes (but also they could have been a lot better).

This record has been produced quite well, so at least there's not much to complain on that area. Overall, I expected a lot more from these guys as renowned as they are. At least, this album lives true to its name Spectrum - the music is quite influence-rich. However, if you'd like to give this album a try, be sure to listen to it in the store first or check out the samples at Howe's website.

Release date: June 27th, 2005

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- MAGE (June 27th, 2005)

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LINE-UP:
Howe, Steve: Guitars Levin, Tony: Bass Howe, Dylan: Drums Wakeman, Oliver: Keyboards Howe, Virgil: Moog
Producer:	Unavailable
Mixing by:	Unavailable
Mastering by:	Unavailable

	TRACKLIST:
	01. Tigers Den 02. Labyrinth 03. Band of Light 04. Ultra Definition 05. Ragga of Our Times 06. Ebb and Flow 07. Realm Thirteen 08. Without Doubt 09. Highly Strung 10. Hour of Need 11. Fools Gold 12. Where Words Fail 13. In the Skyway 14. Livelihood 15. Free Rein Length: 60:41