THE TANGENT – COMM (2011)

Limited Edition
*

Almost 100 years ago, the most important moment in the history of Electronic Communications took place, but was mainly seen as a disaster. A Morse Code distress call, made on April 14, 1912 resulted in the saving of many hundreds of lives from the RMS Titanic, lives that would have been lost without the new “radio”.
In these 100 years, Titanic’s ripples in the magnetosphere have seen people rescued from Space, the birth of TV, the massive surge forward of the Internet and mobile communications technology.
A world that is more and more “humdrum”, but in which the Tangent find both positive and negative things to sing about.

The Tangent from Northern England have always taken a leading role in electronic communications.
In 1996 Tangent leader Andy Tillison Diskdrive posted the first ever promotional band MP3 file on the Internet on the day that the Fraunhofer mp3 codec was released, and the Tangent were celebrated for recording their first album using the Net to connect the UK with Sweden, making that album before the members at the time had even met each other.
Now they turn their musical attention to the forces that brought them together.
Would it make much sense to produce a progressive album about THE INTERNET!? That would seem forced and corny.
The Tangent does not do forced or corny for sure.

First of all, to those of you who haven’t kept up with the band’s history, it’s hard to find another group that has changed lineups so frequently.
The current lineup, which has probably lasted longer than any other, is certainly the best the band has ever been.
Vocalist/keyboardist/composer Andy Tillison is of course still the lead and Jonathan Barrett’s incredible bass duties are retained from the previous album, but we have two newcomers in Luke Machin on guitar and Tony Latham on drums.

The album opens up with the twenty minute epic “The Wiki Man”. The track itself starts with the dreaded sound of a dial-up modem. That sound is certainly going to take a few of you back to the first Internet days. Musically this a complex, epic track full of synths effects and lyrics with an interesting point of view exploring the Internet phenomena. It’s a lavish piece with a seemingly infinite amount of twists, even amongst all the electronics.
The Tangent offers more traditional prog and rock on “The Mind’s Eyes”. The bass is always present, and we get our first glimpse of guitarist Luke Machin’s expertise.
“Shoot Them Down” is a prog ballad, a lighter piece with a delightful guitar solo. It fits very well between the syncopated previous track and the humor of the track to come as a solemn interlude of sorts in the center of the album.

Next is “Tech Support Guy”, easily the most clever and entertaining song on the album. As the title suggests, it’s a humorous farce about how all kinds of terrible problems happen when the company tech support guy goes missing for the weekend. Musically, the old school Hammond, flute and light saxophone over a lively rock fusion foundation gives you a blissful listening experience. “COMM” is worth the purchase for this song alone.
“Titanic Calls Carpathia” is a discussion of major events in the development of technology (such as the Titanic and the Appolo 13 mission). It discusses how our technology leads us to places we don’t necessarily need to go. Our modern communication technology is absolutely amazing for us, and while there is some bad with the good, the good is stronger. Another epic piece with some terrific arrangements and twists.
This is the press release of COMM. The retail will include a cover of Genesis’ ‘Watcher Of The Skies’ and a mega-mix. Also the ltd. digipak edition includes an extra track.

“COMM”, despite its complexity is very easy to take to, it feels instantly rewarding but at the same time the many small nuances keeps you interested for a very long time.
Musically is fresh, unique, and most of all, modern. The sweeping progg symphonic soundscapes appear when they’re necessary. But it has a very electronic energy to the music that certainly aids in generating the modern feel. This is nothing but pure, modern prog.
And not only is it a feast for the ears and your adventurous musical mind, the lyrical theme which is a reflection on the world of today is another upside with this album.
Really Interesting.

01. The Wiki Man
– a. Prologue
– b. The Wiki Man
– c. Competition Watershed
– d. Edit Me Out
– e. Car Boot Sale
– f. The Wiki Man Reprise
02. The Mind’s Eye
03. Shoot Them Down
04. Tech Support Guy
05. Titanic Calls Carpathia
– a. The Millpond
– b. Titanic Calls Carpathia
– c. Lovell Calls Houston
– d. A Lost Soul Calls Antares
– e. Fire In Our Fingers
– f. Earth Calling Anyone
06. The Spirit Of The Net (Demo) (Bonus track)
07. Fantasy Bootleg (‘Watcher Of The Skies’) (Bonus track)

Andy Tillison Diskdrive – Keyboards, Vocals
Jonathan Barrett – Bass Guitar
Luke Machin – Electric & Acoustic Guitars
Tony Latham – Drums
with
Theo Travis – Sax, Flute
Nick Rickwood – Drums

BUY IT !
www.thetangent.org (check their website, it’s awesome)
www.amazon.com/Comm-Tangent/dp/B005H1SF72