"All The Fun Of The Fair".
Just purchased this last week. I've been listening non-stop for days. All of the tracks are worth multiple listenings. I've probably listened to it 5 times now and havn't tired of any of it. As a matter of fact the more I listen to it the more I appreciate it. Bill is unusual in that you just never know when he will go from the start of a tune until the end. Most guitar oriented rock, I can anticipate certain notes and bridges within the song. With Bill, he can change melodies when you never expect it and go off into a different direction. On this album he does these "tease" endings where it appears like the song is beginning an ending, and magically he plays riffs towards the latter part of song that sound like the song is sunsetting adds another 30-35 seconds of different chords, different notes. Its quite interesting because it sounds like the song is over when it isn't.
This is a heavier album which is to my liking. I hear some tones that remind me of psychedelia from the late 60's but its more bursts than all out madness. I like it alot because it darkens the tunes and creates sketches of a far out world with an edgier sound than he usually uses.
"Beams of Light", "Man of Dreams", "Push The Button, Spin the Dial" "All The Fun of The Fair, "Running From My Own Shadow" and "Keep Your Telescope Focussed On The Stars" are favorites of mine.
You can't listen to this without yearning for him to develop his heavier playing a little longer but Bill gives you enough to let your imagination develop your own thoughts as to where he could have taken it if he extended the mood.
There is some great power playing on this recording. Take it for what it is, compact, precise, technically accurate and sonically pleasing. I'm very happy with this purchase.
A couple in side notes, there are a few songs that refer to insomnia and staying away. Reminds me of the Beatles "I'm So Tired" from the White Album in terms of subject matter. Very interesting take on being up at night with thoughts rolling through your head as you try to sleep.