This was the first album that Ian Hughes ever toured with in 2007, mostly due to feeling like more of a studio musician at heart. The album contains a variety of styles, from alternative rock to alt country. Songs like "blue country" capture a distinctly Dylan/Tom Petty vocal style and evoke more of an alt country feel. Other tracks like "gold digger" explore faster, more upbeat dance rock rhythms. It's notable that Hughes stayed away from grids and programmed synths on this record and every song is played live with the band members in the same room. The album has a very polished, but occasionally organic and gritty soul - there are always happy mistakes to be explored. In terms of a broader picture, Sight of Stars is essentially the final and third album in a three album "relationship" set, beginning with 2002's "Anchor", followed up by 2005's "Eidolon". The newest album (release date set for late 2010), "Invincible" is a concept album that breaks the mold and tries some new writing and production techniques. Keep an eye out for it soon!