From: Steven Ross

Like everyone else who first bought Destroyer on 8-track when they were eight years old, I've been highly anticipating this album. My initial response was disappointing, since few things were as I expected. However, once I got the expectations out of my system, and listened to the album for what it is, my opinion changed almost instantly - this album is jolting and courageous, and I hope it sells. We need this kind of music again.

PHSYCO CIRCUS - Another opening winner from Paul. (He's so good at those.) Everyone's playing sounds great. Two years on the road has gotten them nice and limber.

WITHIN - This is my favorite kind of material from Gene. Dark and brooding. There's some excellent guitar work that tends to get lost in the mix, but if you listen for it, you can pick it up.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIENCE - The lyrics don't read well, but Paul knows what happens when he puts them to his music. They explode. That's why the song works. And no one else could get away with it.

INTO THE VOID - I think of Ace as "Old Reliable." You can always count on him to put in a winning shot. He's the best musician in the group, and he is such an interesting song-writer, that you never know what to expect. (Accept a great solo.) Think back to "Shock Me," and realize how much improved his vocals are. Simply put, a great track.

WE ARE ONE - Wow! A completely unexpected surprise from Gene. Listen to how good his harmonies are. There's a great feel to this song that's a nice break from the first four tracks.

YOU WANTED THE BEST - This song is just F-U-N. How wonderful is it when you first hear Peter? Haven't heard that great Rock'N Roll growl in a long time. This is also Ace's best solo on the album. (What are they joking about at the end??)

RAISE YOUR GLASSES - This is the other kind of song that Paul is so good at. This is the one I'm always singing after the album is over. I especially like Paul's ending vocal fills.

I FINALLY FOUND MY WAY - I'm not a huge fan of this kind of song, but it's clear that Peter is, and that comes across here. You can't help but be affected by his performance.

DREAMIN' - This one hasn't grown on me yet. It still might.

JOURNEY OF 1,000 YEARS - Now this is the kind of material I thought they should have done more of years ago. Like the film score of a gothic horror movie. Ezrin was really good at producing this sound, and Fairburn does a good job of it here. There's also excellent drumming by Peter. I like the way it builds and crescendos.

My only complaints are there are not enough moments for Ace to pull out the stops, and sometimes the drums overtake the guitars in the mix. Other than that, a trememdous effort. I hope it's not the last.

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