OK, Dr. Frankenstein. Close your eyes for a minute and imagine this. What if you were to take the power of an alt rock band like the Foo Fighters or 30 Seconds to Mars, with slamming riffs and (forgive the pun) a monster rhythm section and add studio Polish, smart, heartfelt arrangements and pristine vocals a la Dennis DeYoung. You'd have something pretty irresistible, right? Great melodies, powerful hooks, raunchy guitars, crunchy bass and drums... damn, if that don't frighten the villagers, nothing will. Well, you can open your eyes now, Doctor, and forget about waiting for a storm to give birth to this creation. It's already here, and it's called Circle of One. Formed from that great musical breeding ground that is South Wales, Circle of One combine a big, rock sound that is anything but dated with an alt rock sound that doesn't need to scream to be heard. Led by the twin guitar tour-de-force of Julian and Rich Gardner, and aided and abetted by the driving rhythm section of Mike Harper and Chris "Suv" Lewis, this is a band that has spent four and a half years being tested on the road in the UK and who has now come out with an album that scratches you right where you itch, that satisfies you mind, body and spirit. It's called Tied to the Machine. From the righteous indignation of the title track, "Tied to the Machine," to "State of Grace," a song that bristles with positive energy and a soaring melody, this is an album that has something for everyone. Pissed off and want to vent that anger? Try "Automatic." Reflective about the way your life is going? How about "Paper Champions?" Want political opinion that lifts you out of the mire we've been in for so long? "Power of One" will do that for you, my friend. Oh, but there's more to Circle of One than a simple comparison like this could ever reveal. Check out Tied to the Machine and you'll see what I mean. It's real music. For the head. For the heart. And for the soul. Trust me, Doctor....