SONGS FROM THE HARD SHOULDER

3.5 stars. I've been spending some time of late with some of my favourite THE TANGENT albums and would rate the debut "The Music That Died Alone", "Down And Out In Paris And London" and "The Rust Of Forgotten Machinery" as my top three from this band. That Second one "The World That We Drive Through" is right up there as well.

This is studio album number 12 from 2022 and the only one they did created completely during the lockdown. I thought this might be a concept album in the line of "Brave" by the cover art and title but really that's just a part of it. Of the three tracks with lyrics two deal with the lockdown and "The Lady Tied To The Lamp Post" is the theme for the cover art and the centre piece at over 21 minutes.

This is a lyric heavy album and cynical as only Andy can be but it really is a somewhat depressing record. Even that bouncy, fun closer at less than 5 minutes "Wasted Soul" is negative with the lyrics, but it's the instrumental part of it that I really don't like at all. The highlight is the 17 minute instrumental "The GPS Vultures" with some surprising bluesy guitar at one point. I like this track. "The Changes" at over 17 minutes opens the album and dealing with the covid here. Personal stuff included which is cool.

This is one of the few THE TANGENT albums that I couldn't get into. It's also one of their higher rated albums by fans so there's that. Not my scene. So grateful for all the amazing music Andy and Jonas have brought us since 2003.