THE MUSIC THAT DIED ALONE

I am a fan of Flower Kings, and particularly Roine Stolt's works. I discovered The Tangent only recently ? say past three years and they have been becoming one of my favourite bands in present progressive music ? even after Stolt left the band.

This first album consists of three suites and a track. The first suite 'In Darkest Dreams' is opened by a fast-paced notable grand prelude, very dynamic with a lot of heavy riffs and complex drum works. The saxophone sound blends beautifully with the keyboard and drums, and almost sound like early King Crimson. 'The Midnight Watershed' has very nice guitar and bass duet with mood is switched abruptly to a bit jazzy when the piano solo enters. The inclusion of jazz element in The Tangent's music is one of main reasons of my liking to this band. This 20-minute suite is in my opinion the main (and best) part of the album.

The second suite : "The Canterbury Sequence" has even stronger jazz feel, mainly from the rhythm and David Jackson's flute. The second part 'Chaos at the Greasy Spoon' is almost a jazz track with great keyboard improvisation. I personally do not feel much of Canterbury Scene flavour as I expected from the title, except in the intro of 'Cantermemorabilia'.

The title suite 'The Music That Died Alone' is a bit of anti-climax (or perhaps it is intentional) with most of the tracks in slower pace. Anyway the middle part 'Playing On' and 'Pre-History' are quite uplifting with great guitar (with Stolt's signature sound) and sax fills.

'Up Hill from Here' is a track secluded from the suites, with more rock feel. Great guitar riffs and solo, but less progressive element.

This first album with original line up is a very good album. The blending of jazz element into progressive music, the rich timbre from the use of flute and sax, changes in mood and time signatures and well composed suites are wonderful outcomes from this group of well known musicians in prog scene. A truly unique kind of progressive music.