Album Review

Nikki Lev [allmusic.com]

Another classic from The Dixie Dregs, whose unique style and beyond great instrumental prowess led them here into their 4th successful ''proper'' album and 2nd Grammy nomination. The basic equation is the same as on previous albums, but while ''What If'' was a little psychedelic and jazz spiritual, and ''Night of the Living Dregs'' was more countrified and almost folk rock-y, this album has a slightly more streamlined and hard edged element, previewing the polished and focused direction prog and instrumental rock would go in the 80s. So, the lead of track ''Road Expense'' and ''The Great Spectacular'' rock in an almost straight ahead fashion with plenty of room for Steve Morse to show off with a bigger more distorted solo tone than he has used in the past, and ''Pride O' the Farm'' which is a signature countrified number somehow adds in some Brian May-ish guitar harmonies. Even the mellower numbers like ''Hereafter'' rock a little harder (and less Jazzily) then their counterparts on previous albums would have. Finally, bucking the trend of the rest of the album ''I'm Freaking Out'' brings 9 minutes of prog jazz craziness to the proceedings as a palate cleanser to the focus of the rest of the album. To my ear the sum of the parts of this album make it a slight improvement over ''Night of the Living Dregs'', though leaves ''What If'' as the clear greatest album of their catalog.