Flying Colors

This band formed with a weird but intriguing premise. It's a prog supergroup comprising some true giants in the field - keyboardist/vocalist Neal Morse (Spock's Beard), guitarist Steve Morse - no kin - and bassist Dave LaRue (both Dixie Dregs) and drummer/vocalist Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). The chops-heavy quartet then added Austin alt-rock singer Casey McPherson and set out to write hooky pop songs - the sort folks in the '70s and '80s might have associated with Journey, Styx, Toto or Mr. Mister. Yes, I know: you hate those bands. But trust me. While "Second Nature" is a very polished and slick-sounding record, the songs are viciously catchy. The performances are, as you'd expect, over-the-moon tremendous, and there are even a few tunes where - they can't help it! - Flying Colors stretch out with some extended and complex song structures. I was skeptical over the whole concept, but this is a fun and great and extremely accomplished record.

- RICK KOSTER