JITTERS

This is their seventh studio album but first in seven years. Andy's been busy of course with his main project THE TANGENT. I own 5 of PARALLEL OR 90 DEGREES albums and this one is very different from the others. Lots more energy with these hard hitting tracks, and they certainly sound more modern. I think that was the goal of Andy's though as he added a young drummer and bass player to the lineup. Sam Baine who has been on every album of theirs except "No More Travelling Chess" is gone, but thanked in the liner notes. I miss that experimental and Psychedelic flavour that dominated their earlier albums.

"Interlude" is a top three track for me. This is a high octane instrumental. It's like a high speed chase really. "Standalone" opens with piano but it turns full quickly. Vocals before a minute. The tempo continues to shift. Some ripping guitar 5 minutes in. "Threesome" sounds like the opening of the "Twilight" movie soundtrack. I should know, my daughter used to play it constantly. Contrasts between the aggressive and calm continue. "Entry Level" is another top three. It opens with bass and drums as reserved vocals join in. It's building. I like the guitar before 2 minutes. Interesting lyrics too.

"Backup" opens heavily sounding like PORCUPINE TREE. These higher pictched (processed) vocals come in before a minute. They really give it their all on this one at times. "Jitters" builds to a full sound before 1 1/2 minutes with vocals. This pattern continues. "The Dock Of The Abyss" combines Otis Redding's song "The Dock Of The Bay" and their own composition. I really don't like the vocals here. They're almost punkish (is that a word?). Anyway it ruins it for me. I like the heaviness 3 1/2 minutes in though. "On The Death Of Jade" is my favourite tune on here. It almost sounds like a psychedelic BEATLES track at first. It gets fuller 2 1/2 minutes in as contrasts continue.

I'm sure this will be the most popular PARALLEL OR 90 DEGREES album yet. It's not mine but it's pretty good. 3.5 stars.