Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
The Tangent - A Place in the Queue CD (album) cover

A PLACE IN THE QUEUE

The Tangent

 

Eclectic Prog

3.85 | 400 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

chopper
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Andy Tillison makes clear his devotion to "Tales From Topographic Oceans" in the liner notes, even encouraging you to search your Dad's (or Grandad's) record collection for a copy, but this is no Tales clone. Can The Tangent cope with the loss of Roine Stolt? Yes, no problem. The keyboards are more prominent anyway on this album but Krister Jonsson puts in some great solos when required. The rhythm section is brilliant and the flute and brass work of Theo Travis is outstanding.

"In Earnest" is the first, and best, of the two epics about war veterans who are only appreciated one day a year in November. Excellent lyric (noteable for rhyming "Forties" with "sport his") and a great song, featuring some nice jazzy instrumental sections.

"Lost in London" is about trips Andy Tillison made to London in the 80s in search of a recording contract. Reminiscent of some of Caravan's lighter numbers, this may be the first time Brent Cross Shopping Centre has had a mention in a prog song. Nice flute work.

"DIY Surgery" is a bizarre poem set to VdGG-style music by Theo Travis.

"GPS Culture" is the best of the "non-epic" tracks, mainly thanks to a wonderful organ riff which Wakeman would have been proud of. Features another brilliant instrumental section. My favourite track.

"Follow Your Leaders" is a typical faster Tangent number with an excellent synth solo.

"The Sun In My Eyes" is the "disco" number about the perils of being a Yes fan at school instead of a Sweet fan. Too poppy for my liking and doesn't really fit in. The title track is the 2nd epic and takes a while to get going, but explains the overall concept behind the album.

The second CD in the special edition features some tracks that didn't make it onto disc one. "First day at school" is very nice and possibly should have been on the album instead of "DIY Surgery". The remix of Sun in my eyes is an improvement, but the best things here are the last 2 instrumentals - "Grooving in Mars" is a great jazzy number, recorded live, featuring a great sax motif and "Kartoffelsalat Im Unterseeboot " is a wonderful ambient electronic piece. The extra for the special edition is worth it for this track alone. A definite 4 star effort. Shame they're not touring all round the UK!

chopper | 4/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this THE TANGENT review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.