LE SACRE DU TRAVAIL

The Tangest's this year record "Le Sacre du Travail(The Rite of Work)" was an exciting experience and an example of good nowadays prog. The group is named Multi-National and features musicians from England and Sweden(perhaps more locations- nowadys it's hard to guess just by the names). The cover is colourful and it's not clear by it, that it's a prog record. I don't like the band's log, but that is not important for the experience. The musicians that make this work are Andy Tillison(composer, vocals, guitars and keyboards), Theo Travis(saxes, flutes and clarinets), David Longdon(vocals), Jakko Jakkszyk(vocals and guitars), Gavin Harrison(drums), Jonas Reingold(bass), Rikard Sjöblom(narration) and Guy Manning(acoustic guitar).

I liked this from the beginning. The band tells a story with precesion and great musicallity. I'm impressed of this modern prog. The rock is spiced by Theo Travis fantastic playing on his woodwind instruments. This record is a lot of rock but it allways blends it with classical approach. Music is partially very symphonic and Tillison's keys leads like Wakeman in his best moments. The record is even and all tracks has it's ups and downs. I think progressive artists in this times overdo long songs, they often have'nt the former skill of the 70s proggers. The Tangent does long tracks and I think they manage it well. For people who have listened to Big Big Train, the vocals of David Longdon can be recognized. He does a better job here than at BBT's last record and the variation made of three singers also developes this music in an interesting way.

What's negative then. Well I don't like bonus tracks so I would have prefered just listen to the first five tracks. Beside that I can't find anything to complain about. I could be silly and argue their logotype but...Perhaps it's not very "new" music, but it doesn't make it less good. Recommended plate! Four stars!