The group's third album, reissued on CD by Tennessee-based
Renaissance Records in 1999, is another
Yes-like affair,
Herb Schildt's keyboards dominating the sound in the best sub-
Rick Wakeman manner while
Steve Tassler's drumming holds the band's sound together.
Terry Luttrell can't quite hit
Jon Anderson's high notes, but coupled with the backup singing by
Tassler, bassist
Gary Strater, and guitarists
Matt Stewart and
Steve Hagler, the
Yes illusion is maintained, especially when
Hagler's angular lead playing comes in, as on
"Shadows of Song." "Change in Time" is the best of the
Yes-style numbers here, a driving little tune with gorgeous choruses and soaring synthesizer breaks. The two most interesting numbers, however, are
"Can't Think Twice" and
"Could This Be Love," serious attempts at catchy Top 40-type tunes that reconsider the group's whole
progressive sound, and which hold the group's talents in check in service of an unchallenging AM approach. They're refreshing, although not why people who were buying the band's stuff were spending their money. ~ Bruce Eder
![Clutching at Straws [2018 Re-Mix]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0190295605155_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "Clutching at Straws [2018 Re-Mix]")
![Pulse [Bonus Tracks]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0888751709928_p0_v4_s90x140.jpg "Pulse [Bonus Tracks]")
