Originality is a difficult thing in AOR, this particular style of Rock has a very narrow and precise formula, and as the classic audience is very outdated and reactionary, it's quite complex to please and cuddle the old barking guard dog and in the same time keeping an open mind in order to create something faithful and yet modern without being called an heretic...

The last DEPARTURE album "Corporate Wheel" was out in early 2002, now Mike Walsh returns with a new chapter for his brainchild project with this album called "Hitch A Ride".Nothing really new here but a quite easy listening melodic Hard Rockwith some tasteful lead guitars and above all some amazing vocals provided by famed new lead vocalist as Andi Kravljaca (SILENT CALL/ex-SEVENTH WONDER / ex-VINDICTIV / ex-ELSESPHERE). Like it was with the three previous albums,the Guitar-player/songwriter/producer/mastermind Mike Walsh proudly introduces a new singer as  it was the case with Ken Michaels in 1998 / Dave Baldwin or Timothy Lewis. Musically no risky stuff here, we have a very familiar & confortable territory field for DEPARTURE's Walshand Co.

The first half of the album is obviously the better and more inspired part but soon it start to go downhill... In fact the feelings are mixed and the overall impression is finally not so good...Maybe it's because of the already heard sensation... The players are more than good and the Melody-hooks are also here but even the AOR efficiency of  "You Don't Need to Do This Anymore"isn't working at 100%.
I was expecting this with unhidden excitation and finally against my early will,it's more disappointing than anything else! But tracks like "Roses", "Without You"," Waiting for Rain to Come", "LuvSick", "No Where to Go", "Soldier of Fortune", "Travel Through Time"can be considered individually as worthy for traditional pure AOR lovers.