Here are some reviews of the new album "Mobius." At the end of this list is a complete song by song review by ProgGnosis Magazine. For the complete song by song review by Music Street Journal as well as a recent interview with Veronica, go to www.musicstreetjournal.com/painespromiselist.htm and click on the links.

"This is Melodic Progressive Rock at it's best, with a more radio friendly approach instead of long instrumental passages, although the heavy groovy guitar riffs are pure RUSH/LED ZEPPELIN orientated. The female singer has a strong voice and without a doubt, this debut CD of the band is a highly recommended piece. With this CD they prove to be a band to look out for in the future. Especially check out the awesome 'A is A', which has a melodic chorus, fantastic vocal work and huge RUSH/ZEPPELIN guitar riffs."
- Strutter Magazine

"If you are drawn to the 70s hard rock sound, I strongly invite you to learn more about Paine's Promise. Veronica Hughes leaves no doubt that she can sing. The band mix progressive elements into what is at core a power-trio hard rock sound. It is a testament to the bands skillful composition and solid musicianship that it can strongly bring to mind the fullness of the Rush sound instead of simply a basic power-trio rock flavor."
- Frode, ProgGnosis Magazine

"In Mobius you'll discover the intelligent verbiage and tight song craft of Real Life, the guitar crunch and angelic harmonies that ignite Consequences, the complex time signatures and hopeful spirit of 99 Failures, and the dreamy and surreal vibe that transcends the listener in Island of Peace."
- Eric Harabadian, Progression Magazine

"Fans of Rush should find plenty to like on this album. The drums in particular feel a lot like Neil Peart's work and really stand out."
- Gary Hill, Music Street journal

"Paine's Promise makes the kind of progressive music that I really like. Their lyrics are insightful and real and fit the melodies perfectly, while the instrumental playing supports and contrasts the vocals without ever overshadowing. Veronica sings in a conversational style that is at once personal and familiar, honest, intelligent, and thoughtful, like a dear friend who's not afraid to tell you the truth. I really like the fact that Paine's music deals as much with ideas as it does raw emotion; the combination gives a real sense of credence and validity to the viewpoints and perspectives presented in their songs. The playing, of course, is top notch, with the rhythm section of Dave and Daniel completely in synch with V's guitar. The level of musicianship gives the music a complete sense of poise, as if these folks could play *anything,* but that these are the arrangements they felt was right for these songs. There's just enough flash to keep things interesting, but without any of the instruments getting in each other's way. In addition, the production is spare and natural-sounding, allowing every note to be heard clearly. On "Mobius" Paine's Promise achieve a rare balance that renders their music both majestic and intimate at the same. I love this record. It makes me want to go practice."
- Matthew Trautwein, Karma Lingo / The Lost Boys

Published on: 22 Mar 2006 by Frode, ProgGnosis Magazine
From Atlanta, Georgia, Paine's Promise is a trio of musicians in the structure of Rush. Mobius is their second release and is one which I would categorize as pretty heavy pop-rock meets prog. Rush similarities are often present, but I also hear the Neil Young guitar sound from his "fuzzy" period and on some songs on this release have a very noticeable resemblance to Heart. Throughout the 10 tracks on this album which all clock in at the 5 to 6 minute range Veronica Hughes leaves no doubt that she can sing.

Real Life contains nice melody on the heavier side with lots of fuzzy guitars. The song has a 70s hard-rock feel as does much of this CD with the changes of the beat throughout the songs making it interesting and leaving a progressive sense.
Consequences- is similar to track one - same power & same fuzzy guitar but with a different melody and more straight forward beat/ in the first part of the song - then the middle and instrumental part is more varied - and more in the vein of Rush.
99 Failures starts off in a heavy 6/8 beat, and moves towards a balladly melody, a style common on a few tracks in this recording. The fuzzy guitar is still present though and is dominating. Nice melody, and well played guitar solo.
A is A starts off more like a rock ballad but soon picks up speed. the fuzzy guitar is also here very dominant. This song in particular brings forward a lot of Rush elements in it.
Shark - Instrumental power-prog/pop with ballad sounding solos. Of the tracks on Mobuis this one stands out has having the most distinctive Paine's Promise sound.
Grip another solid fuzzy guitar power-prog tune with good vocals and a nice guitar solo.

Together Alone a wonderfully performed power ballad partly roughed up by the fuzzy guitar.

Drive is a rock tune bringing in a bit of the ZZ-Top sound in to the overall Rush feel.

Island of Peace is a very nice melodic power-ballad. On this track which I find to be the highlight of the whole CD, Hughes vocals has a big resemblance to Ann Wilson of Heart.
Awake At The Wheel this song is hard to describe - it's not as heavy as the others, but still not a ballad. It's instrumental with quite a bit of Rush influences and has very nicely played lead guitar.

All in all Mobius is a pretty good album. The band know how to bring forth a full sound from a 3 piece and to mix in progressive elements into what is at core a power-trio hard rock sound. Given that the vocals have no suggestion at all of Geddy Lee, whose distinctive voice is a key feature in defining the Rush sound, it is a testament to the bands skillful composition and solid musicianship that it can strongly bring to mind the fullness of the Rush sound instead of simply a basic power-trio rock flavor. For my tastes, the fuzzy guitar dominates too much, especially in the first 2/3 of the album however this is a consequence of my own preferences and not a knock on the talented performance.

Mobius is available at CDBaby.com and song samples are available on that site as well as on the band's web page. If you are drawn to the 70s hard rock sound in the general style of Heart and to the progressive rock sound of mid-to late Rush era, I strongly invite you to learn more about Paine's Promise and listen to these samples.