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TCP

Eclectic Prog • United States


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TCP biography
TCP, or TEMPORAL CHAOS PROJECT, is one of the fresh bands worthy of being mentioned these days, apparently edging out with a good amount of acclaim, while mainly tagged within the progressive rock aesthetic boundaries, drenching the classic 70s influences and traits, but also displaying the fairly obvious modern sound and vigor.

At the core of the ensemble is the trio formed by vocalist and lyricist Henry Tarnecky and multiinstrumentalists Blake Tobias (keyboards, bass) and Jack Wright (guitars, drums). Their consistent debut, The Way, took almost a full year to be created, being released in May 2009, and featuring a significant group of track guests: Glenn Arpino playing Mellotron, Gary Carciello and Glenn Liljeblad on guitars, vocalist Desiree Stisi, back-up bassists Tom Shiben and Reid Tobias, plus drummer Ange DiGeronimo.

Already hinted was their taste to model everything after the classic prog of the 70s, largely given the voluptuous Melltron and melodic inserts, or the strong symphonic/neo side of the music, which earns them references to GENESIS or MARILLION (respectively Peter GABRIEL or FISH, on the vocal side). Yet the band itself likes to emphasize on the equally strong art rock taste, part of a imaginative blend, on all-scaled contrasts and twists, on imagery and landscapes, on the enjoyable and pensive, or rather on counterpoint and desirably complicated structures, born out of adrenaline, math-rock inspirations or out of the belief that it stands as a fundamental and endearing trait for progressive fans. Catchier tarts, darker metal bursts, or a jazzier instrumentality would further reveal themselves out of smaller fragments of the musical work. Other frequent references to The Way lead to IQ, KING CRIMSON, FAMILY, PAVLOV'S DOG, PINK FLOYD-ish connotations, or moreover David BOWIE.

Recommend therefore for something "paying homage to their heroes from the 70s yet creating a CD that can be listened to and enjoyed for its modern sensibilities" (Pete Pardo, Sea Of Tranquility). TCP plan a second album for 2010.

::: Victor Bach (Ricochet) :::

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TCP discography


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TCP top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.42 | 41 ratings
The Way
2009
3.32 | 40 ratings
Fantastic Dreamer
2011
3.88 | 30 ratings
Temporal Chaos
2016

TCP Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

TCP Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

TCP Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

TCP Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

TCP Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Temporal Chaos by TCP album cover Studio Album, 2016
3.88 | 30 ratings

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Temporal Chaos
TCP Eclectic Prog

Review by Windhawk
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars US band TCP was formed back in 2008, when fellow musicians Tarnecky, Tobias and Wright encountered one another on the internet. This formative threesome decided to have a go at a studio-based band, and over time this has resulted in three studio albums. "Temporal Chaos" is the most recent of these, and was released in 2016.

Third time's the charm according to a proverb, and in my book TCP pretty much connected all the dots in the right manner when they crafted this album. It is a quality production on all levels, with good songs, good performances and a good mix and production that manage to highlight all the band's best sides. The sole slight weakness is that the vocals may be a tad divisive for some. Not a negative in my book, but it is a distinct voice and vocalists of that type will rarely have a universal appeal. As far as a recommended audience goes, if you enjoy bands like King Crimson, Genesis and Marillion in equal measures, this is probably a CD you should get to know better.

 The Way by TCP album cover Studio Album, 2009
3.42 | 41 ratings

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The Way
TCP Eclectic Prog

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars TCP runs for Temporal Chaos Project, a New York-based studio project found in 2008 by three musicians: Henry Tarnecky (vocals/keyboards), Blake Tobias (keyboards/bass), and Jack Wright (guitars/drums).With a little help by several musicians the trio produced the debut ''The way'', whοse recordings took almost a year to be finished, eventually released in May 2009 on the emerging 10T Records.

The album is a good mix of contemporary and vintage prog with a perfect balance between instruments, atmospheres and tempos.The style comes as a cross between Symphonic Rock in a GENESIS vein and MACHIAVEL-esque artistic Prog with melodic guitars and modern synthesizers representing the new Progressive Rock era, while a strong amount of analog keys with the mellotron on the forefront along with organs and harsichords add the appropriate retro feeling.Just a few moments with some complex heavier guitar parts are close to KING CRIMSON.However all compositions breathe a fresh air of harmony with a very rich sound and intelligent songwriting, characterized by the delicate keyboard flashes, the accesible guitar chops and the symphonic mellotron.Add also a vocalist, who sounds a lot like PETER GABRIEL and delivers nice dramatic vocals, and the picture is completed.The musicianship is rather easy-listening despite the numerous shifting moods and the album can be heard also by an amateur of the prog style.

For fans of bands in the style of GENESIS, MACHIAVEL, KAYAK, SIRIUS or IRRWISCH ''The way'' is an absolutely great addition, artistic prog of high musical value.But even more demanding listeners will be propably surprised by the talent of these guys.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

 Fantastic Dreamer by TCP album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.32 | 40 ratings

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Fantastic Dreamer
TCP Eclectic Prog

Review by Windhawk
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars US band TCP was formed back in 2008, when fellow musicians Tarnecky, Tobias and Wright encountered one another on the internet. The threesome discovered that their personal chemistry was good and decided to have a go at becoming a studio based band-project. This chemistry seems to be at a good level too, as they had their debut album "The Way" issued the year after. In the spring of 2011 the follow-up "Fantastic Dreamer" appeared, and as with their initial effort it was issued by the US enthusiast label 10t Records.

While harnessing compositional and instrumental details from an extensive palette, TCP's second album "Fantastic Dreamer" is one that typically should find most favor amongst those who enjoy bands like Marillion, Genesis and Pink Floyd: Rich keyboard arrangements, the occasional Mellotron insert, some piano motifs and even the good old harpsichord in tight, harmonic interplay with guitars of the gentler variety and on a few occasions dampened riff constructions. Nice and nifty instrumental parts, including quite a few excursions into Gilmour-inspired landscapes courtesy of the guitar solo, while the lead vocals should be to the satisfaction of those who prefer Fish's and Peter Gabriel's take on the lead vocalist assignment. If this sounds enticing, TCP is a band you'll want to explore.

 Fantastic Dreamer by TCP album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.32 | 40 ratings

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Fantastic Dreamer
TCP Eclectic Prog

Review by Finnforest
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars TCP's ambitious follow-up

Temporal Chaos Project is an American band who formed in the early part of 2008, and features Henry Tarnecky (vocals, keys), Blake Tobias (keys, bass), and Jack Wright (guitars, drums). The multi-talented players also credit some guest musicians on their albums. They state that for the time being this is a studio project, time will tell if they decide to play live. Given the talents of the players it would be great to see them on the road. Listening to TCP brought many bands to mind and to keep it interesting I avoided reading other people's reviews so I could see how my impression compared. I was originally struck by the vocalist sounding like Roger Chapman of Family. I heard bits and pieces of both Supertramp and Supergrass, along with some Marillion and Galahad of "Empires Never Last" era. This is high quality art rock which features superb musicianship on all levels, and creates an experience which should appeal to those seeking pleasing accessible rock and those who thrill on exceptional playing.

The album begins with heavy guitar riffs, ominous sounding, as we are introduced to Tarnecky's commanding, theatrical vocal presence. The crunching first track is more an explosive introduction leading to the more subtle and gorgeous "In the Movie of You" with its lovely piano, and a very neat little guitar wrap at the end of vocal lines that sounds just like a Gilmour lick from The Wall. "Devotee" is where they go all Supergrass with a bouncy piano pop and catchy-as-hell chorus, or annoying, if catchy choruses aren't your thing. "Ambiance for the Active Mind" finds itself meandering through sleepy, then aggressive spacey corridors of Steve Wilson-esque leads of the Signify days, Wright is a great player. After that the middle section (tracks 5-7) lags significantly for me, with compositions that range from needlessly grandiose to a bit muddy to plain boring at various turns. But then "Fantastic Dreamer" recovers with the solid closer "Vision." Were Davies and Hodgson singing the piece it could almost fit naturally onto a mid 70s Supertramp album quite nicely. The keys build the piece up beautifully and the lead guitar work is explosive yet tasteful. Great track.

"Fantastic Dreamer" overall is a quality slab of eclectic/crossover which should appeal to many modern prog fans. Not quite 4 stars for this listener but adorned with impressive moments and pleasant surprises.

 The Way by TCP album cover Studio Album, 2009
3.42 | 41 ratings

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The Way
TCP Eclectic Prog

Review by Failcore

4 stars Ah, I see that TCP has been added! Excellent. Just a warning, this is probably one of my favorite albums of 2009, so expect some bias. I guess if I had to make a reductionist summary of the album, I would say that it sounds like someone took Yes, Genesis, Fish, Dream Theater, and every darker piece from the Romantic period, threw them in a blender, added some nutmeg, and hit "frappe." Although I am not a huge fan of Genesis or Dream Theater, I am still quite pleased with the resulting taste.

"You Can Never Know" starts in an upbeat yet twisted and depressing sounding way that really creates a pretty cool contradiction. About halfway through the song you think it ends, and then it jumps into a catchy part that sounds like Yes Album era, well, Yes. Overall, pretty neat; I think its an effective opener. 4 stars.

"I'm Me" starts with a haunting acoustic guitar that's really reverbed out, and it's playing a really atmospheric 1800sish melody. Then the lyrics come in, with every word carefully chosen and presented with a poise that is over the top. It's a sublime experience :D. After a while, the song relaxes and then later segues into a really hard and driving part with an interesting vocal performance that reminds me a lot of something one might expect in a vintage opera. Overall, a pretty good song, only taken down a peg slightly by the short I'm Me vocal section at the end that really doesn't work. 4.5 stars

It's at this point that I should probably point out that Tarnecky's vocals aren't for everyone. Some people think Fish's performances in early Marillion were out there; Tarnecky makes Fish seemed reserved and cautious. I like it for the most part, but unfortunately it really ruins "Mankind." It has an excellent piano driven opening, and overall, the music and lyrics are great, but Tarnecky really reaches a bit far in his performance here. Too bad. 3 stars

"Heavy Billy" is a hard rocking instrumental that's driven largely by a really fluid sounding organ. A little to fluid IMO because it distracts from the rest of the instruments which sound much more gruff. I really loved this one the first time, but now I only like it ;). 3.5 stars

"Sheep" starts out with a really creepy and depressing melody that sounds like it would work in classic horror movie or the Diablo 1 soundtrack. I thought it was too much the first time through but now I love it. The rest of the song alternates between a more classic symphonic sound and a more modern metal sound. I enjoy it thoroughly, especially the lyrics which lambaste our crappy society, but not in a whiny liberal or stale right-wing way. 4.5 stars

"He's Like You" is probably the best number on the album. It's definitely the most metal, but don't let that turn you metal haters away. TCP is very good at creating an aggressive sound here without bringing in some of the elements that might be considered "cheesy" by some. (Just a disclaimer here, I really like lots of progressive and tech. metal so I'm playing devil's advocate) I was really taken aback how much more coarse and dissonant this song is when compared to the previous numbers, but ultimately, it makes it the most memorable. 5 stars

"Road to 2012" is an awesome short instrumental that brings forth vintage classical sound in spades once again. Really well executed IMO. 4.5 stars

"Hypatia" is the 2nd big misstep on this album unfortunately. The entire atmosphere of the song clashes horribly with the rest of the tracks, and Tarnecky's vocals really aren't geared towards spacier stuff like this. Oh well, too bad once again, but they completely redeem themselves with "She." This one is a continuation of the Hypatia lyrical theme, but it fits in more with what the band has been doing for the rest of the album. It's long twisting 10 min ride that completely makes me forget their previous foibles by the end of it. The drums are particularly enjoyable on this track, as well. Good stuff. "Hypatia"-2.5 stars, "She"-5 stars

"The Way" is perhaps not the most memorable track on the album but I really enjoy the forlorn sound that is employed in the opening. This also has another enjoyable Yes Album sounding section in the middle. 4 stars

"Liberate Me" is the 3rd and final instrumental that really shows a more playful side of the band. This actually reminds me just a tad of ATT era Gentle Giant. In other words, a great closer to a pretty good album. 4.5 stars.

4+4.5+3+3.5+4.5+5+4.5+2.5+5+4+4.5/11 =4.091,ergo 4 stars. Hah, that's right, I'm an engineer, and I brought math into a purely artistic enterprise. Hate me. :)

Thanks to Ricochet for the artist addition.

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