The Tangent - Not as good as the book [Inside out/SPV - 2008]The Tangent are unashamedly Prog Rock as one could imagine with nods towards the likes of Pink Floyd, Yes and Rush. With some very nice jazzy edges, a few more modern electronica touches here and there too. Not as good as the book is an overblown concept album in the mould of the old prog masters that seems to be about an old prog Rocker waking up thousands of years later on an highly advanced planet, sort of a prog English Buck Rogers I guess .The second disk is just two Long, long tracks & the album also comes in a format with a full length novel (I only have the standard 2cd set) so that really indicates the kind of territory we’re in. So we know what we're dealing so what’s it like I hear you cry,well I have to say I through enjoyed every indulgent moment of it.There’s great Yes like Synth and moog pumps, overblown solos, jazzy breakdowns with great Sax and Flute playing by Teo Travis Who’s worked with Gong in the past. The songs,as expected jump are all over the place from; Spanish guitar moments, funky bass textures, disco traces, power pop, Shadowy Electronica, piano interludes, and just powerful Prog rock-outs. Like the best prog it keeps you on your feet through out, so your never quite sure where this virtuoso group will put you down next. The vocalist sound like a Cross between Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), Edward Ka-Spel (The Legendary Pink Dots) with some of his own tone as well. The first disk takes in seven tracks each lasting around seven minutes each and second disk as mentioned early is two long tracks both totalling near on 50 minutes. The first disk tracks manages to be consistent and varied with some very memorable moments along the way. The second disk never becomes boring, yes it’s highly over indulgent but at the same time it’s wonderfully played and composed so it flows with adventure and an really edge. I guess It’s really down to how much you like prog- if like me you still play and cherish old Yes, Pink Floyd, ect albums and would like to that sound updated somewhat, Not as good as the book will be right up your street. If you can’t stand prog and over indulgent music avoid this like the plague Roger Batty
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