The project is really the work of one man, namely that of Matt Jones.

When this double disc offering landed, my first thought was "what an intriguing title", closely followed by "what an impressive looking package". Upon reading the press release, I saw the likes of Rush, Dream Theater, Dio and Queen mentioned, along with the word "Progressive". This looked like it was going to be good but, as anyone who has watched early audition episodes of 'X-Factor' will know, if an act claims to be the best thing since Led Zeppelin, you know it'll be worth watching, but not necessarily for the right reasons.

The project is really the work of one man, namely that of Matt Jones. He wrote the theme tune, plays the theme tune and sings the theme tune and, unfortunately, tries too hard to be somebody he can't be – namely the aforementioned bands. The first time I listened to this I formed an opinion, and having listened to it twice more, that hasn't changed. I understand why those bands were named as, in very brief moments, there are sounds that remind you of them, but the difference is that all those bands left you with something. Songs would stick in your mind and you could sing along when you re-played them. Of all of them, I feel Jones would like to be Rush, more than the others, and Geddy Lee in particular.

Thirty-nine seconds into the first track 'Reflections', we get the first of what appears in almost every song – the scream. The thing is, they all sound like a strangulation gone wrong because, as anyone who has done it properly will tell you, you need a strong voice and strong projection to pull it off. While I take my hat off to Jones for dedicating time, effort and no doubt considerable money to the project, I really think he should sit down and decide what he wants to be.

He cannot be Lee, Ronnie James Dio or Freddie Mercury. The other thing about this is that the verses have no rhythm, no melody, no rhymes and no memorable attributes. As for the lyrics, try "Caught amongst the dregs of Salford, trapped in a room full of paper, pink paper, why is it pink, get rid of your suit and try to think". That's one of the few (if not the only) rhyming lyrics on the whole album. In addition, I think this is the only time I've seen the word "oxymoron" used in a song lyric.

You'll no doubt have picked up on the fact that I'm not a fan of this, and don't forget, this is a two disc release and I haven't mentioned disc two yet. You obviously have to listen to the whole package before you can "wear the badge". The second disc has just two offerings, and while the first (the title track) is much the same as everything else, the second, 'Discovery', is not at all bad. It's at least got a melody that you can remember, something totally at odds with the rest of the album, although it still doesn't have any rhyming lyrics.

Overall this album is not for me, and I would suggest that if Jones wishes to make another, he concentrates on the style of 'Discovery', find how to fit words into lines lyrically and use words that rhyme.

Andy Brailsford