Okay before I get all the rage from you guys, I apologize for the punctuality of the review (or lack thereof). I've been a little busy so didn't really get around to it, but look at the bright side..... okay there really isn't a bright side, but I did finally write it so smile. Anyway, onto Aryeh Kunstler. The virtuoso guitar talent (you have no idea what virtuoso means, and neither do I but it does have a nice ring to it) has recorded songs with some of the best, including Gershon Veroba, Lenny Solomon, Piamenta, Danny Kunstler (don't know how he worked out that one), and has now joined forces with the Battle of The Bands winner, Yaakov Chesed. Kustler has done something that is rarely found in a Jewish album: a single genre album. The entire album is Alternative Rock, basically a lot of guitars, that plus the innovative producing of Aryeh's new drummer/producer Nir Z brings a whole new sound to this album. Aryeh has a knack for "teiching up" (in English=explaining) a pasuk to give it new meaning, in a similar vain to R" Shlomo Carlebach. Yes, Kunstler and Carlebach, pretty interesting comparison, eh? Well, onto the actual songs, I'm gonna do the usual thing so enjoy!

Hashem Sifosei- Cool bass intro with a tad of electric music. The song is brought to a whole new level with the high part, sounds straight out of a Yaakov Chesed album. Like I mentioned earlier, Aryeh gives a new meaning, using English lyrics, to the words we say before every Shemoneh Esrai.I also loved the shtick following the sick guitar intro at 2:55, it shows the new professionalism that went into this album, setting the tone for the next ten tracks. 5 out of 5

B'shem Hashem- Not a big fan of the way the song starts off, it's a bit boring with not much to it . That all changes the second time around, the sound completely changes with added instrumentation and Aryeh singing with a lot more passion. The high part is nothing to write home about but definitely flows nicely. I'm also a big fan of his self harmonies that he used toward the high part. 3 out of 5

Mi Chamocha- Interesting digital intro with a synthesized drumbeat and a bit of rhythm guitar, continuing up until the high part. This song fits Aryeh's voice so perfectly from the deep sound of the low till the sweet sound of the high. The song has a great feeling to it making you just wanna throw your hands up to the One above (btw nothing like Him if you listen to the song you'll figure that out). The English bridge at 2:14 was a nice touch, kudos. 4 out of 5

Nachamu- Beautiful (A lot behind that word so read on). The song starts off with a nice string segment, then comes Aryeh's soothing lyrics. The message is nice, and the music is nicer, it has a bit of a secular feel to it but I'm not complaining..Aryeh's overall musical maturity since his last album is definitely apparent on this song. Another bridge on this at 2:16, I'm beginning to think Eli Gerstner gave him lessons on composing! This song reminds me a bit of "Hatei Alei" from his first album (I liked "Hatei Alei"). 5 out of 5

Modim- Quite the rock star isn't he? The laughing and the "yeah" add, not-so-subtly, to that image (not necessarily a bad thing, just a thing). Not much to the low part, musically at least. just an electric guitar and a drumbeat, the second time the bass gets involved the song hits its best. You'll notice the use of electric music again in the high part, I'm constantly pointing this out because it's a bit of a new concept from what I've heard previously from Aryeh. I didn't like the English lyrics for the song, but the tune and the high part is what really had me going for this atypical rock song. 4 out of 5

Veliyerushalayim- I can't say honestly that I liked the whole song, the low part is a bit generic(didn't think that was inAryeh's vocabulary) and the high part compliments it. In this case, that's not exactly good. The song basically remains that way throughout. But wait! The bridge at 2:57 salvages the song and weirdly enough, after that, I actually enjoyed the waning minutes of the song. 3 out of 5

Gam- Great song with an unassuming intro. I put on the song and thought it was gonna be another slow song especially after the "Aryeh Kunstler Ensemble" harmonies in the beginning. I was wrong. Very wrong. The low part continues with the piano and has a synthesized drumbeat again, not sure what's up with that, but whatever. The high part is why Aryeh is the best at what he does (he does Alternative Rock. He's good.), the rock is rocking and it doesn't stop. Of course not until the bridge at 1:57 but the song falls back into it's natural habitat (Rock) a couple seconds later. Loved it! 5 out of 5

Lishuasicha- Enjoyed the first 42 seconds of the song and the other Hebrew parts (including the bridge). That's it though, the lyrics are way too strange for me. The song is discussing Shimshon pulling the pillars down from the Philishtee's (I forgot the Hebrew word) temple, killing everyone including him. A bit strange would be an understatement. Nothing against the story but why make it into a song?! Well the music is awesome as usual but I would probably skip this song.(I obviously didn't considering I just reviewed it, but for future reference....) 2 out of 5

Va'anachnu Lo Naida- I have this one on repeat the whole day ever since I heard it, that's a lot of days considering I'm a bit late with this review. The song begins with some beautiful arrangements, although it's just guitars, the way the rhythm, lead, and random electric sounds meld together to create an uplifting sound is.....well uplifting. This song is where the self-harmonization comes in the clutch, I wouldn't say it made the song but it gets a nice chunk of credit for it's success. The song has really two parts, similar to several other songs on the album, one is the first unaggressive, laid back format, the second part is the hardcore rock we love to hear. This is the title track for the album, as is apparent on both the cover of the album and at 2:45. Like I said before, this song is a success! 5 out of 5

Split The Sea- The song is the only exception from the genre of this album. It starts with a techno beat then a saxophone (first time brass is used in a Kunstler album). The combination is a bit strange but tolerable. The actual song is an interesting composition, it's about the Mitzrayim and the Yam Suf, Yitzy Spinner is featured, doing an awesome job on the back-up vocals. The song is a bit......can't really think of an appropriate word, but just isnt my style, and definitely not what we've come to expect from Aryeh, notwithstanding though, it is a pretty good song. 3 out of 5

Yizkereim- The song is as heartrending as it is meaningful. The entire song is unplugged guitar, with the exception of a string session at 3:05. The song brings up the hurtful topic of the Holocaust and how we must never forget. There have been several of such songs recently(Shua Kessin's "Generations" and Shalsheles's also) but I love this one the most. besides for the message it conveys, the way Aryeh sings it actually got very close to making me cry, whoever knows me is well aware of the difficulty of such a feat. An excellent way to end off an album. If you liked the way he ended it off the album last time with "Chavrusa Break-up Song" you will be slightly disappointed. 5 out of 5