Rating: B

With Fly Paper, Tiles has upped its game. Gone is the bloat that mired Window Dressing; in its place are tight songwriting, sharp instrumental passages and melodies marking this the Detroit act's finest hour since Presents Of Mind

Things get rolling with "Hide In My Shadow," whose recurring riff should impress listeners both metallic and melodic. Paul Rarick's uncanny ability to maneuver his lyrics around dynamic time shifts make these guys stand out, as does Chris Herin's multi-instrumental mastery. From guitar and mandolin to banjo — yes, "Hee Haw" fans, banjo! — Herin proves any instrument can befit any genre. Creativity is the key.

Meanwhile, just try resisting "Back & Forth"'s danceable rhythm and strong backing vocals. "Markers" affords Mark Evans room to use his entire drum kit and explore its subtle shadings. Canadian rock legend Kim Mitchell appears on "Dragons, Dreams & Daring Deeds," with Rush six-stringer Alex Lifeson cutting through "Sacred & Mundane." As if that's not enough, the aural "green room" is further occupied by Alannah Myles ("Back & Forth") as well as Terry Brown and Hugh Syme, the Rush veterans whose producing and cover art skills, respectively, helped Rush fulfill its vision.

But this is Tiles, not Rush, and the Detroit quartet stakes its own claim with Fly Paper.