This is the fifth self-released album from the English-soloist Mike Stanley since the release of his first Soul Searching in August 2005, all do, for me, this is the first of the five that I‘ve had the opportunity to both listen to, and review, while its an album that features ten-tracks, and one that was initially released through iTunes in October last-year before then being made available on CD in mid-December. Its also an album with a heavy Vince Clarke influence, least not from a song writing perspective, and not just from the more familiar musical angle, with no better an example of this on the albums outstanding track - Coming Around, a mid-paced Erasure-like number that combines with, and works well with the dry Dave Gahan-like vocals for what would be a perfect single, all do, and at the same time, I do feel that it also somewhat overshadows the album itself, while, in addition to this, there is the mid-paced to up-tempo feel on the excellent London Town, complete with its solid bass, it builds well to its chorus, further to this, there are a selection of equally excellent tracks that range from the likes of the slow, to mid-paced Don’t Be Afraid, complete with a somewhat darker overtone, it also features a strong solid edge with its crashing rhythm and chorus of note, the more Erasure-like, and mid-paced to up-tempo feel of 7 Years, which moves along nicely at a steady pace, to Fantasy with its mid-paced feel that builds well to a strong chorus, the more up-tempo POV with its strong and solid edge, once again building to another chorus of note, Running with its mid-paced dark rolling rhythm, complete with another notable chorus, and the mid-paced Help Me with its darker overtone. Further tracks included the slow to mid-paced Sanctuary, with its darker, moody overtones; it rolls along nicely, to the more Erasure-like title-track, with its mid-pace to up-tempo feel that combines with a strong and solid edge. This is simply excellent, impressive and consistent on all fronts with the right vocals - highly recommended. © DK