by Rob TheakstonAgain, a noticeable departure from his work as the timekeeper in Journey, Steve Smith's Vital Information project is straight-ahead, no-frills fusion from the '80s. Orion pretty much stays within the formula that made Vital Information's debut album so catchy and accessible: slick production and smooth musicianship atop a sheer layer of gloss for sonic measure. Smith holds it down in the background while the band plays through melodies that wouldn't be out of place on records à la their contemporaries. Not the band's strongest effort, but definitely not their weakest either.