Canadian Melodic Rock band FATAL VISION return with their latest album here titled "Twice." Formed in 1988, they have been around since just before the bubble of Melodic Rock peaked in the early 1990's. The album has thirteen songs. Let's get to some of the highlights. "Dominoes" is the first track. It's a mid-tempo rocker with smooth vocal harmonies and a slightly depressive sound. "Thick as Thieves" is a bit slower in pace, with a melodic riff and plenty of keyboards. Simon isn't a bad singer, but the band seems to have downtuned the music to fit his style. Still, the vocal harmonies are really nice.

"End of the Dream" is another slow paced song. I warn, too many of these can result in a dull affair. The band has to inject some energy into the album. This is a tender song with vocal duties shared by male and female alike. "That was Then (And This Is Now)" is the big anthem I was waiting for. The pace is quicker, and the chorus is rich, although the verses are a bit thin. "Start Again" is another mid-tempo song with a bit of melancholy features. At this point on the album, I wish the band would push some more positive tones. This album sounds uninspired so far, and I'm sorry for saying that. "Ghosts of Yesterday" is a bit better, but still fails to really push any excitement.

"The Last Summer Night" has a bit of nostalgia in its message. But the song itself is weak in terms of the instruments. It's too thin for Melodic Rock...it should be full of harmonies. The chorus is, but the verses are not. "Tomorrow Never Comes" is another sappy sound. Look, I was alive in the 80's, and there were plenty of these kinds of songs that I liked, but this one just falls flat. "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" closes the album. The acoustic guitars and tender vocals are decent, but the song is forgettable.  There are two ways a modern AOR album can go with a band that has been around since the 1980's...the first is a revival, with some new members to inject energy into the music, and the second is a failed attempt at reliving the past. The latter is what we have here, unfortunately. Many of the songs have the same dull, slow pace, and that will kill an album dead in its tracks. Combine this with a baritone/low tenor singer who fails to excite, and you have a recipe for a forgettable affair.