Karfagen or the Tangent

I suppose this is not only a battle between two major modern symph bands but also between Andy Tillison and Antony Kalugin. 

Who voted neither? I am not keen on what I know of The Tangent studio albums, but I have quite liked some The Tangent live. I have heard little Karfagen before, and I was not keen on it. I won't vote at this time because I am not totally unfamiliar with both but know too little of both to feel comfortable voting as the poll is set up.   I might try to listen to a bit more of both at some time even if just to bring a little more diversity to my musical diet and to support a new topic.

Edited by Logan - September 03 2024 at 17:05

I am never blown away by either because they are both so inconsistent and derivative of other, older songs, bands, and styles. It's not that I don't like them, I just don't seek them out.

While both wear their influences on their sleeve, Andy is a lot better at taking those old ideas and really running with them. I am also fully willing to admit that the more present jazz element in the music of The Tangent appeals to me more than the very "straight-ahead" symph-ish prog of Karfagen. Not that the latter is devoid of jazz influences, but there are just more improvisational elements to the former that come from players who are actually proficient in jazz. Plus, there's more of a Canterbury-type whimsy to The Tangent that I enjoy. And while this is so rarely a make-or-break inclusion for me, the fact that The Tangent has more tracks with lyrics is actually another plus. While Andy's writing is occasionally a bit on the nose, I am often very taken by his lyrical content and/or concept, and in recent years, the more political bent to them has intrigued me. And they seem to have more fun, as well. Karfagen would never write anything like Jinxed in Jersey.

I chose The Tangent. As BrufordFreak said, both bands are derivative of old stuff, but the thing is, that the derivativeness feels more inventive and impassionate in the case of The Tangent to me. Anton Kalughin is a very competent composer, and I find myself really digging Karfagen's musical output, but it's nowehere near the level of genius and attention to detail that is displayed by Andy Tillison in The Tangent.

Another vote for The Tangent 

Tangent for me. I’m afraid I find Karfagen a bit wishy-washy, sorry

It's very close for me, but The tangent gets my vote, if only for a small margin.

The first two Tangent albums featured incredibly rich vocal harmonies and a tag team approach to lead vocals. This is in my opinion what the later Tangent albums are really missing.

MikeEnRegalia wrote: Listening to the debut now ... feels like a first listen, after 20+ years.

Edited by AFlowerKingCrimson - September 04 2024 at 09:59