Search - Tangent :: Music That Died Alone

Off On A Tangent - An Identitify Crisis

Brett Lindsey | St. Petersburg, FL | 02/11/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I bought "The Music That Died Alone" never having heard of The Tangent. I purchased this CD based on some of the rave reviews I read for it and the association with other bands I enjoy listening to. After buying the CD and listening to it several times I have to admit that I picked a lemon.



Although the artists in The Tangent are all are very talented, they don't combine well to produce something that is enjoyable for repeated listening. On the contrary, the more I listen to this CD, the more I find myself fast forwarding to find a selection I can stand. Andy Tillison's lyrics are poorly written and painful to endure. Here's a sample from "In Darkest Dreams":



"Believe it or not, bright lights turn grey,

...and the watersheds still join up the days,

As we spin round in the chaos of time,

...and the chaos of space."



Ho Hum. Trust me, they lyrics don't flow any better when they are sung than when you read them. The album art with the pelican is nice though. In his liner notes Dave Winter writes "If Andy Tillison of Po90 is known as a writer of somewhat dark and angry music, then Roine Stolt is conversely known as a messenger of light and optimism." Maybe Roine should have written the lyrics for this album. Roine Stolt does some great guitar work, but it does not blend well with the overpowering keyboard and synthesizer tracks that even drown out Guy Manning's fairly decent vocals in "On Returning".



Another problem I have with this CD is that the music is not what I consider Progressive Rock, a label a that has been slapped so many new bands that people don't even know what it is anymore. "The Music That Died Alone" is a confused fusion of rock and jazz. There is good sax, piano, and guitar work accompanied by good to mediocre vocals and the problematic hammond organ, mellotron, and synth tracks. I would be embarrased to play this CD at a party or at work. If you like Dream Theater and the Flower Kings, you may or may not like The Tangent. On the other hand if you prefer the sounds of Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree, you might want to check out Blackfield or Kino."

Good but not great

Guy Campeau | Stoneham, Québec Canada | 05/21/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have to admit that I don't know this one very well, I haven't listen to it very often. At first sight, this ain't bad, some great musical sequences but nothing memorable. This might be the reason I don't know this one very well, I don't feel the need to listen again and again, some cd's have this effect on me, but this one doesn't. As another reviewer said, this album is more Jazz-Rock than Prog, I have bought it mainly for the presence of Roine Stolt, he's doin a great job on the album, but as far as I am concerned, I prefer by far "The Flower Kings""