|
|
"A disruptive album par excellence, "Proxy" will most probably divide the band's fans."
|
3/5
|
|
|
|
Taking advantage of a joint tour with Karmakamic - the band of his regular bassist - Andy Tillison has once again relaunched The Tangent machine, occasionally creating most of the tracks that make up the band's 11th album, entitled "Proxy".
In computer language, a proxy is a gateway for connecting networks or devices to each other, while filtering and monitoring access to each other. In Andy Tillison's increasingly political language, the eponymous title opening the album is a new charge "against a certain world leader of today". I think everyone will have recognised who it is.
This first epic piece sees the band putting in place the traditional ingredients of the band, with a few dissonances, multiplying themes and 70's ambience mixes with more modern sounds and a very clear orientation towards prog jazz, much more present than usual. The long instrumental introduction carried by Jonas Reingold's bass sets the scene from the very first moments, with some inclinations worthy a Magma. The trend will continue with 'The Melting Andalusian Skies', which, as its name suggests, adds to the jazzy side of the music a marked scent of Andalusian guitar and castanets' rhythmics.
Then The Tangent will take completely original orientations in its discography, with first of all 'A Case of Misplaced Optimism' that Andy Tillison describes as "the missing link between Porcupine Tree and Jamiroquai". As much as we recognize the influence of the latter in the funky rhythmics and the intensive use of brass instruments or even in some piano parts, as much as the evocation of Steven Wilson's band seems totally incongruous.
And then, how can we ignore 'The Adulthood Lie', this second epic track of the album which sees the band completely breaking the codes of what he calls "the manual of the perfect progressive title", to take us in an unbridled serenade where Andy Tillison thinks he's Jon Lord playing "Highway Star", before a frantic saraband takes us away, turning to noise then going through some electro touches supporting sharp riffs from Luke Machin, coming back to more classical progressive. An exercice a little confusing...
In the end, only the last track, 'Supper's Off' will really refer to the "original" Tangent, with solid melodies carrying different themes, supported by more conventional accompaniments and a square rhythm, more mainstream.
If the previous albums of The Tangent required several listenings to integrate all the nuances, this new delivery will undoubtedly require even more efforts to master all the ingredients. A disruptive album par excellence (an adjective in the air of time), "Proxy" will most probably divide the band's fans. - Official website
|
|
|
|
|
TRACK LISTING:
01. Proxy
02. The Melting Andalusian Skies
03. A Case of Misplaced Optimism
04. The Adulthood Lie
05. Supper’s Off
06. Excerpt from Exo-Oceans
LINEUP:
Andy Tillison: Chant / Claviers
Jonas Reingold: Basse
Luke Machin: Chant / Guitares
Steve Roberts: Batterie
Theo Travis: Saxophone, Flute
Goran Edman: Chant / Invité
|
|
| |
|
(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top of the page
|
| |
|
|
(0) COMMENT(S)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
READERS
5/5 (1 view(s))
|
STAFF:
3/5 (3 view(s))
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
IN RELATION WITH THE TANGENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
OTHER REVIEWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT THE TANGENT
|
|