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The Tangent: Songs From The Hard Shoulder
The Tangent - Songs From The Hard Shoulder Album Art

The Tangent: Songs From The Hard Shoulder

Melodic Progressive Rock
4.5/5.0

Internet
InsideOut Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 13.06.2022 | Released: 10.06.2022

As most fans of classic progressive know, the genre has a rich history. A history that dates back to the 1960's. One of the most influential elements in early progressive music was in inclusion of keyboards. The early entrant was the famous Hammond B-3 used by bands from Yes to Deep Purple to The Zombies. There was Rod Argent and Rick Wakeman among others leading the charge that soon advance into the use of synthesizers. this carries on to today.

The Tangent Click For Larger Image

The Tangent'sAndy Tillison

Enter The Tangent, an English band led by keyboard player, composer, and vocalist Andy Tillison. The band arrived in 2002 featuring, besides Tillison, of Po90, The Flower Kings and Van Der Graaf Generator. Tillison and friends have been consistently dropping studio albums for the last 20 years. The Tangrent returns with their 12th longplayer, Songs From The Hard Shoulder (refering to the breakdown lane found most major thoroughfares).

Musically, not much has changed with a Tangent composition. The songs within are marked by Tillion's extensive keyboard presence, but with room left for guitar and bass solos from Luke Machin and Jona Reingold, respectively. Moreover, again as expected, the songs traverse and include various genres and styles. They may be technically complex yet draw from the most simple foundation like classic rock, but then add classic prog, jazz and jazz fusion, or pyschedelia and blues. There's a blantant notion of freeform musicianship, but every song tightens up with melody and groove. Excepting the more pop rock sensibility of the shorter Wasted Soul, the sinewed freeform music rise high with The Lady Tied To The Lamp and the instrumental The GPS vultures. Again, these songs display the creativity of the arrangements and the talent of the musicians. All said, The Tangent's Songs From The Hard Shoulder is another prog tour-de-force that will please their fans and the fans of the genre. Easily recommended.




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The Take Away

All said, The Tangent's Songs From The Hard Shoulder is another prog tour-de-force that will please their fans and the fans of the genre. Easily recommended.

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