DEPARTURE

Hitch A Ride

The brainchild of guitarist / keyboardist Mike Walsh, Departure returns for a fourth album with Silent Call vocalist Andi Kravljaca helming the microphone this time. “Hitch A Ride” being my first exposure to Departure’s melodic rock meets pomp style, the songwriting has a lot in common with Styx, 80’s period Kansas, along with a mix of Saga/ Journey. “Soldier Of Fortune” elicits Mike’s tasteful, Neal Schon meets Steve Lukather bluesy lead tendencies, while “Fly” contains the rich keyboards and more stage show arrangement commonplace with theatrical pomp rock.

Overall the four piece play with the spirit of older, arena oriented rock in mind. It’s catchy yet safe in its execution. Good to listen to on occasion, but not of the stellar class of say Work Of Art when it comes to the new melodic rock brigade.

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