THE TANGENT – A Spark In The Aether [special edition extra track] (2015)

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Northern England based combo THE TANGENT are one of those bands that have been around for such long time, you almost take for granted how reliable they are with releasing albums. The group has, in 12 years, created eight studio albums (one of them featured here on the blog), two live DVDs and had tours that have taken them from Moscow to Quebec and mostly as a band that has never made an album using the same personnel as on the previous.
April 20th is the date for the release of “A Spark In The Aether“, the new delicious The Tangent album.

Andy Tillison – the only member to be on every record and who is also the band’s leader – is back and with a few of the regulars; Swedish Flower King’s bass legend Jonas Reingold, expressive guitarist Luke Machin (Maschine), Theo Travis on some winds and also experienced Swedish drummer Morgan Ågren
“A Spark In The Aether” should be the most melodic, lively The Tangent album ever, and also the most accessible.
Think Asia featuring John Payne blended with GTR, some Marillion, Neal Morse, John Wetton solo and a bit of Arena. Really melodious stuff.

The album kicks off with the spirited title track. The unapologetic Prog-Synth in the opening announces this is going to be a prog album with lots of keyboards, so get ready. Tillison sounds refreshed and his vocals cut right through the music and demand attention. This upbeat track has a great chorus and at 4 minutes is a great way to kick off the album and set the vibe for what is to come.
One of the best songs is second track “Codpieces and Capes” which is a look back at the history of Prog and what it means to a loyal fan. It’s energetic and very Asia sounding.

“Cleaning the Attic” is much more relaxed, and even has a WestCoast AOR feel! There’s some Steely Dan, Venice and Chicago on its great groove and chorus, and incorporates a lot of instruments. The middle contains some of the most progressive rock moments in an album full of them, from the flute breakdown to the brilliant guitar solo.
Of course one of the main tracks is 21 minute epic “Celluloid Road” which Tillison has described as a tour of America as seen through the eyes of a person in another country who only knows America from what they’ve seen on TV.
The song goes through different cities and styles leading to a rocking section called “San Francisco”, which is also included as a radio edited version as bonus track on this Special Edition.

With this album, The Tangent have recalled the glory days of Prog Rock with emphasis on ‘Rock’. Indeed, it’s an uptempo record that rocks most the time, with lots of melodies.
The classic prog parts are refreshed with a modern bright sound, on many places sounding very ’80s, recalling Asia and alike.
“A Spark In The Aether” is as entertaining an album to listen to as you will hear this year, widely recommended to all audiences, not only progsters.

1 – A Spark In The Aether
2 – Codpieces And Capes
3 – Clearing The Attic
4 – Aftereugene
5 – The Celluloid Road
6 – A Spark In The Aether (Part 2)
7 – San Francisco Radio Edit [bonus track]

Andy Tillison (Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals)
Jonas Reingold (Bass)
Theo Travis (Sax, Flute)
Luke Machin (Guitar)
Morgan Ågren (Drums)

PRE-ORDER:
www.insideoutshop.de/Item/The_Tangent_-_A_Spark_In_The_Aether__-Special_Edition_CD_Digipak_-/16072
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