It was time to shred a bit. "Face the Mirror" is the heaviest track I've done in quite some time. It's always fun to let it rip and release my inner Judas Priest or Iron Maiden (I'm just not near as good:)) Be careful if you turn this one up; the bass line might just melt your face off . . . but with rock n' roll, that's a good thing!

"Outside Looking In" was actually inspired by one of my favorite band's songs: "Wish You Were Here" by Chicago; hence the ocean waves in the beginning. Beyond that, this is simply an ethereal, ambient journey of the mind. Listen with headphones . . . especially for one of the guitar tracks. You'll be in La La Land:)

"Life Before" is not very difficult, but I really think this chord blending is quite beautiful. It's also easy going . . . something that our species seems to have lost sight of. We love rushing to get absolutely nowhere. This song is the antithesis to that notion.

"Frayed Seams" may be my most ambitious track, yet. Multiple guitars, violins, an uptempo backbeat . . . it's all in there. Each of these elements are components of the "seam" holding this musical track together. Enjoy!

"It's Complicated" is a track that came relatively easy to me, once I discovered the hook I was looking for. That hook being one of my favorite chord blends (A - A/F# - A/E). With this part in place, it all came together. Hope you enjoy it!

"Swept Away" is all about letting the subtle wind take you where they. Dance along and cherish the journey. What's unique about this one is not trying for perfection. When I listen to some of the great classic rock bands, there are imperfections in some of the recordings; and that's what makes them so authentic and real; less polish and more grit!

From a chord structure standpoint, this is a really simple track. However, I was going for the "crunch" on this one. I was actually inspired by an awesome Judas Priest song for this one titled "Lochness." I'm certainly not Glenn Tipton or K.K. Downing, but I'm happy with the results.

"Clock-watching" is one of my favorites. It's a little different in the fact that it's all in flat chords, which I haven't done much of in the past. My solo runs are also a favorite of mine; they're not fast or flashy; but in solos, sometimes the beauty is in the notes you don't play or in the ones you let sustain themselves. Regardless, hope you all enjoy it!

While this song sounds nothing like Rush (although I do love their catalog), the title and feel of the song is heavy, but also mysterious. This got me thinking about how the beauty of music is brought to us through technology, etc. And with this immediate transfer of energy comes power: the power of music. Even though we may not see it, we certainly can feel it and hear it!

This track evokes a feeling of coming out of a sleepy haze and greeting the new morning with a smile and a sense of gratitude. This song just makes me happy. Hope you like it!