I first got Kevin Max's Stereotype Be after hearing and falling in love with "Existence" on the radio. After that I vowed never to buy another of Kevin's cd's - not because it was bad, but because Mr. Max's style was just a bit too experimental on too many levels and it drove me crazy listening to it. Seeing as I'm currently listening to his new album The Imposter, bought for the same reason as before, I seem to have broken my vow, and I'm not quite sure if I'm sorry yet or not.

The album still has his characteristic experimental flavor to it, but in a more digestible rock format. The lyrics are as poetic as ever, but I'm finding it hard to envision a situation where they would mean much to me (not that it isn't possible). My general impression is of a pretty good album that I will rarely listen to.

"Confessional Booth" sets the tone of the album with Max's smooth vocals over distorted guitars that somehow sound forced - like they don't quite belong.

"The Imposter"- the song that convinced me to shell out the dough- comes next and reminds me a bit of "Angel With No Wings," although I'm not so sure how many would agree with that comparison.

"Sanctuary" is more like something on Stereotype Be than anything else on the album and includes the first real example of Kevin doing his extended "warbles" that he's famous for. I liked this song at first, but it's starting to get old.

The pace slows down with "Your Beautiful Mind" and its accompanying piano. It's no standout track, but it's a nice listen.

"Jumpstart Your Electric Heart" makes a jarring change of pace. It has bit of a metallic sound to it (intentionally) which is interesting but not very inviting. The lyrics are very creative, but I think I'd enjoy them better if the central metaphor weren't so cheesy.

"Platform" starts out slowly- almost too slowly- and gets more interesting with the chorus. The lyrics are very honest, and they are what carry the song.

"The Royal Path of Life" is the one big miss-hit for me, as the music, vocals, and lyrics do little more than annoy me.

The rocking continues in "The Imposter's Song" one of my favorites. It talks of how we don't need to try and put on a show to get love: an important reminder.

"Stay" is a nice song, but there's nothing that particularly attracts me to it, and "I Need You, The End" follows that trend.

"When He Returns" provides a nice exhale before "Fade to Red" which is definitely one of the best of the lot. It has a lot of Max's mysterious quality to it without ever becoming annoying, and provides some interesting lyrical content.

The hidden track "Let It Go" is along the lines of "The Imposter" (a good thing) but is a bit of an anticlimax after "Fade..." In a way, the song represents the whole album to me: very musical, with a lot of talent behind it, but perhaps a bit misplaced and just a wee bit too inaccessible. I'm sure fans of Max's previous offerings will love every minute of The Imposter, and it is some of his best work, but it is not for everybody.