1. Streets - Amazing. This song sort of sets up the tone, idea and setting for the story. Oh, that piece that the children's choir(which adds an extra level of haunting atmosphere) is singing at the beginning is an excerpt from "The Magic Flute", by the way . Good stuff.

2. Jesus Saves - This song gives you the background behind the main character, Downtown(or D.T.) Jesus. It has a cool voice acting part at the beginning, followed by a nice song with a catchy melody, courtesy of Jon Oliva's keyboards and Criss Oliva's awesome riffage.

3. Tonight He Grins Again -Sad stuff. Very sad. Nice piano playing by Jon Oliva, showing that Savatage can integrate the piano into a metal song like no other band. Good solo in here too.

4. Strange Reality -Nice riff, but it's a rather average mid-paced rocker. Good, but not great.

5. A Little Too Far -A beautiful ballad that includes only piano and vocals, with some moving lyrics that can make any eye shed a tear.

6. You're Alive -This is up-tempo happy metal! Fits in with the with the story pretty well. No solo, but you can't have everything you want.

7. Sammy And Tex -This is a METAL song! Great speedy rocker that shows the anger and aggression that is within the part of the story this song represents. Kick ass riffage by Criss.

8. St. Patrick's -At first, I really didn’t care for this song all that much , but after several listens, i can safely say that, although this is a great song, it is a grower. You might have to listen to it a few times to like it. At least i did. Good piano and nice, thought-provoking lyrics about questioning the exsistance of God in this one.

9. Can You Hear Me Now -Another ho-hum average song here. it has a rather haunting tone throughout it, but it's only OK. However, if you keep it within the context of the album, it’s not quite as average, as it does keep the atmosphere going.

10. New York City Don't Mean Nothing -HERE WE ARE! A nice acoustic ballad-like opening, but man, once those drums and bass comes in, this song slowing mutates into a solid monster stomper of a song. Wow.

11. Ghost In The Ruins -Classic Savatage right here, folks. Here's another great, lean and mean Savatage rocker. This has some good bass lines by Johnny Lee Middleton, nice lyrics and this is also in a way, Criss Oliva's showcase song, because he's got a great extended solo where you can tell he's showing off!

12. If I Go Away -What a great ballad! Not only does this perfectly fit in with the album, but it's also a thought provoker: Why am I put on this planet, and what possible impact have i had on this world, the people in it and on myself? These things go through my head when i listen to this song. It's a powerful song, indeed.

13. Agony and Estcasy -Whoo! Another solid riff-driven rocker! This has a solid riff in it, and i just love it! Sorta reminds me of Savatage's old pure metal days.

14. Heal My Soul - The second of two piano and vocals only songs in this album. You can feel the pain of the old man dying on this song.

15.Somewhere In Time- It's so beautiful. Very beautiful lyrics. It has almost a heavenly feel to it throughout. The song's messege is there are no easy answers, but there is always hope.

16. Believe -AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING!!! I can't express how great, brilliant, breath-taking and just moving this song is. This is the pinnacle of Savatage's ballads, it just doesn't get much better than this one, folks. The greatest lyrics the band has ever written are included here. The moral is to beleive yourself and everything about yourself. absolutely awesome climatic solo, great singing, and a guitar line that sounds almost like it belongs in a Christmas song.

Incredible. Just Incredible. All the songs work much better within the context of the album, rather than individually, but it’s well worth it. Do yourself a favor, buy this now.

written by Nick Lane

Playing time: 68.01