Line Up: Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals; Marcel Jacob - Guitars, Bass; Fredrik Åkesson - Guitars; Jamie Borger - Drums, Percussion

The ever popular Talisman return with the seventh release (hence the snappy title) in their long and illustrious career. It's been three very long years since their comeback album, "Cats and Dogs".

That album found the band in superb form on an album that was, quite probably, one of the best of their career.

Conflicting shedules of each band member (between them they've been involved with Treat. Soul SirkUS, Arch Enemy and Last Autumms Dream) have, until now, prevented Talisman from getting back into the studio.

Having found the time, you might be forgiven in thinking that the end results could have been of a rushed nature. Well that ain't the case with this album.

One of its many strenghts is its glorious sound. Between them, the band have managed to create eleven songs of depth, diversity and uniqueness. You're probably thinking that that's the same with every Talisman album? Well you're right, to a degree, but this album has that certain something that makes it stand out from the pack. I personally think that the band have never bettered their genre defining "Genesis" opus, however, with "7" they may just have made the best album of their career.

With the funk-infused opener "Falling", the band pretty much lay their cards on the table from the off. The AOR sheen of "Nowhere Fast" and "On My Way" are a couple of aces, whilst "Back 2 the Feeling" is their trump card. Those are just my personal choices; there are seven more form where they came form and they are all equally as good.

Compared to past albums, the overall feel of this one is that it's more melodic in its approach, and that's a good thing in my book. With the likes of Red Hot Chilli Peppers content in making songs that sound the same. I think it could be Talisman's time to knock that funk rock crown from their heads and wear it with pride.