Actuality In Progress is the first solo album from  Jon Macey, one of the pioneers of the 1970's Boston music scene, on the curve during, between and right after The Modern  Lovers and Orchestra Luna.  It is perhaps the most advanced disc of his career up to its release in 2002, and though Actuality In Progress still isn't the grand slam the journeyman musician is capable of, the fifteen tracks certainly are a good representation of his personal  songs and artistic expression.  In the nine years between the release of "Too Much Perspective" by Macey's Parade comes an evolution of sorts.

 Actuality In Progress is an interesting extension as well  as a combination of many of the musical partnerships experienced by the singer/songwriter/producer. John Jules, drummer from Macey's 1970's outfit, Fox Pass provides the percussion while guitarists Mike Roy from the 70's ensemble and Tom Hostage of 90's group Macey's Parade form the nucleus of the players here.  Sal Baglio of The Stompers adds his guitar to "Wasted On You" while Tom Dickie from Jon's 80's band, Tom Dickie & The Desires, co-writes and is "present" on "Hidden Behind The Words", a dreamy Velvet Underground "third album" type soft electro-rocker.

 You get the picture that this is The Byrds meets The Velvet Underground before reading the lengthy essays on jonmacey.com pertaining to this disc.  Those scribblings expose a side of Macey not quite visible inside the tunes - he's an extremely smart writer.  The slick ten page booklet emphasizes the importance of this project to the artist and "This Is Where You've Been", a collaboration between Baglio and Macey, re-emphasizes it.  Arguably the album's best track it has elements of The Beach Boys if they made records in the new millennium with the same seriousness of "Do It Again". Though there's no "Song For T" or "Comical" from the Too Much Perspective phase, phenomenal pop songs with staying power, there are pleasant moments like "Affair Of The Mind", co-written with long time friend and co-engineer Ron Doty. It is Macey at his most Lou Reed meets Dylan and being such a devoted disciple of both icons, it is done with exquisite sincerity.  "Junk Mail" and "Cool Dreamer" are also strong compositions that deserve a place on the inevitable "Best of" collection from this artist. Concluding with  the solo folk ending of "The Road Of Destiny"  Jon Macey stretches across his career and creates a serious overview. What's missing is the tongue-in-cheek humor of his friend Willie "Loco" Alexander.  Add that element and Macey can give John Mellencamp and Billy Joel a good run for their money. 

joe viglione for allmusic.com