LE SACRE DU TRAVAIL

The latest release from The Tangent; 'Le Sacre Du Travail' (The Rite of Work) is in every way a modern Prog Rock classic, from the opening overture to the closing cacophony of traffic chaos and dying notes.

It ticks all the boxes for a true prog production. A grand concept?check Symphonic elements?.check Classical influences?check Set over a number of 'parts'?check Plenty of Hammond organ?.check Epic length songs?.check

And yet, the album is not a retro, far out conceptual dinosaur piece. It speaks clearly to the listener of the modern 21st century ritual of work , the journey in the chaos of the morning rush hour, on to the afternoon, where were are soothed of our tired corporate lives with the friendly radio DJ, dulling us as we queue on the motorway to get home. Closing with the part of the day which highlights our devotion of TV and the shows designed to fill our lives and provide some meaning.

There are various points of related subtext to the piece that dovetail nicely as we travel along. The brainwashing of corporate organisations that take our souls, the acquisition of 'things' to provide our lives with meaning, that ultimately end up being sold online after we die, the slavery to the life of work and paying tax and owning property and the consumption of the world's resources all to make this happen. It sounds bleak, in some ways more so than anything by Roger Waters..(and he can do bleak) only because the piece holds a mirror up for us to view our existence, showing us up like hamsters on a wheel going round and round.

Musically this impressive album matches the potent theme. It features a very impressive collection of musicians whose ability and style compliment and deliver Andy Tillison's work perfectly. Tillison himself provides some of his most impressive performances to date, delivered over a stunningly powerful rhythm section of Gavin Harrison and former band member, Jonas Reingold. Theo Travis has a major part to play with the wind sections taking a greater precedence over this work than any other Tangent work. Another former member Jakko Jakszyk along with Big Big Train's David Longdon provide guitar and vocals which broaden the dimensions of the sound even further than before.

'Le Sacre Du Travail' feels and sounds like the landmark album in Andy Tillison's already superb body of work, a real career high. All the more monumental when you factor in the background of this new album. The past two years since 'Comm' have been a rollercoaster, one that would see most bands derail completely. Against the backdrop of the dissolving of the band and some tough financial conditions, Tillison has endured and produced a polished masterpiece, and I do use that word in its correct fashion. If modern heavy progressive rock, confused as it is, with its metal poisoning running through it is your idea of Prog, then a listen to this album will broaden your horizons in new ways. If you are old enough to remember it all the first time, then this album brings back the highs of the genre and leaves you feeling elated and ready for another listen.

Full marks to the Tangent for this latest offering.