The American Under-Radio is a progressive rock project formed by guitarist Eric Zimmerman and some of his friends, including Fates Warning drummer Mark Zonder, well-known Matt Bissonette, singer Robie Wyckoff, drummer Chris Howard and bassist Mike Valerio. Eric is however responsible for the songwriting and only Mark has been given credit for co-composing several tracks.

Although Under-Radio is being promoted as progressive rock the reality however is slightly different; the music is not all that progressive but is instead more influenced by eighties rock and blues rock. The musicianship is of an extremely high level and the Zonder/Bissonette’s rhythm section is as solid as a rock while Dream Theater’s Petrucci’s lessons certainly have rubbed off on Eric.

Strangely enough his guitar work reminds more of Steve Vai, which is most recognisable in the fifth song “Elmer’s Revenge” and at the beginning of the sixth song “Every Time”.

Under-Radio is in general a very decent album but it is nevertheless slightly falling short in the songwriting department. The songs are powerful containing good guitar riffs but somehow lack the necessary hooks to make them truly interesting. More importantly they lack diversity. Add to that the fact that the album is not even 40 minutes long and I am somehow left with the impression that a band with such talent could do better than this. The best songs on this album are the ballad “Lifeline” and the melancholic “How Was The Funeral?”.