With Assault Attack, I enjoyed this when I first got my copy of the 5cd MSG collection thingy. I didn't go on with it but going back to it now, I love it.
AA: Epic opener and I love Bonnet here. The rolling groove of the verses is so cool. This song was actually a real grower. I wasn't that keen at first but grew into a top track. Interesting that there's no solo too, just that little harmonic minor type melody.
RYTTG: Oh yeah, now this is groovy. I love the structure of this and the whole blues vibe which I'm not normally a big fan of is killer here. I love Graham's delivery for this song, it's perfect. The whole way the verse has that hook and goes into the chorus is really cool songwriting. The two and a half minute outro instrumental section is amazing. Great expression from Shenker and really sinks he teeth into the music with his soloing, great expression. Love how everything is nice and tame and then at 4:44 he climbs to the end, great stuff.
Dancer: Yeah, this isn't a highlight, but I must admit this became a fun song. It's cheesy, poppy but I don't mind listening to it. That riff at 2:02 is bloody awesome too. his solo is a nice contrast to the vibe of the song too.
Samurai: Great atmosphere from the get go and love that gallop. Nothing to dislike about this song and I really enjoy Graham's vocal melodies in the verses. Nice build again in the solo section and a great pulsing rhythm. Really cool song, great feel, nice chorus too.
Desert Song: Classic. I really hear the Love to Love similarities Tim was talking about here. Love the riff, the vibe, the more metal approach and just everything about it. Everything about the music portrays the lyrics and mood of the song well too. I like the quiet section and how it builds back into the main riff later in the song, that's nice. That solo outro though, holy shit. All class and Michael's phrasing and note selection is elite tier. You can hear him dig in to the fretboard. That bend at 5:17 portrays the song theme perfectly. And then at 5:38, that Dorian run is so damn good.
Broken Promises: I love the swagger of this one. The whole thing probably doesn't need to be as long as it is, but I really enjoy the pace and groove of this one. The solo is the best on the album. How it kicks off and Grahams high note at 2:43 is so damn good. Everything about this solo is perfect. That lick at 3:07, holy shit. Guitar playing at its best right here. And then at 3:30 that harmonic minor change, fuck yeah!
SFAR: Damn, I love the catchiness of that guitar lick, so sweet and light. That's the theme throughout and it keeps me hooked. I like Graham's harsher tone on this, it works well with the lighter mood IMO. How it goes back into that melody at 2:02 is so good.
Ulcer: A bit of Satch, a lot of Steve Vai, a bit of Van Halen, even later TMac I hear in here. No, it's not Arena but it's something different and a great closer. Simply some of Michael's faster playing is on display here in the solo. Great tension with the key changes in the solo is epic.
Such a good album.