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When done well, Progressive Metal can be sublime but when it isn't, it can be painful. The Interpreter, the debut full-length from Britain's My Soliloquy, is more of the latter and less of the former. Let me state up front that these guys can play and I'm not disputing their ability. Where My Soliloquy seems to be missing the point of Progressive Metal is that it isn't just about packing time changes, effects and non-traditional sounds into the songs. From the annoying klaxon at the start of "Ascension Pending" to the electronica beats and synthesizers of "Corrosive De-Emphasis," My Soliloquy undermines potentially decent tracks with unnecessary frills. Ending The Interpreter with "Star," possibly the worst Metal ballad I've ever heard, doesn't help. Even John Hughes wouldn't have put this saccharine tripe into one of his movies. My Soliloquy is talented but tries way too hard to be Progressive. Until they stop worrying about sounding Progressive and just write solid songs, you can find better elsewhere.