Although
Avail turns up the volume a bit on
Over the James, it can't take away from the stagnation that has settled in after four very similar-sounding albums. The group's musical chops are as strong -- if not better -- than ever, particularly on tracks like "Sanctuary 13" and "August," and lead singer
Tim Barry has never sounded as angry as on "S.R.O." But ultimately,
Over the James is for loyalists only. ~ Brian Raftery