Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Crisis in Mid-Life
2. Lost in London 25 Years Later
3. Ethernet
4. Celebrity Puree
5. Not as Good as the Book
6. Sale of Two Souls
7. Bat Out of Basildon

Disc 2:

1. Four Egos One War
2. Full Gamut

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #54008 in Music
• Released on: 2008-03-03
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Limited Edition, Special Edition
• Dimensions: .49 pounds

Customer Reviews

Better than the book!!
As a 40 something prog rock geek, this album is designed for me! If you get the deluxe version with novella (and you need to get that), then there is so much here that speaks volumes to someone of my age and who grew up with the likes of Yes, Genesis and ELP.

The three previous Tangent albums have been very good indeed, but this latest outing (and a double CD to boot) is something quite special indeed. I have lived with this album for about a week and I mean lived with it. There is so much that resonates with my own life experience. Good to have someone writing from my vantage point on life's rocky road.

Whereas the last album "A Place in The Queue" used Yes's Tales from Topographgic Oceans as a template, I think on this latest he has used Peter Hammill's "Over" as a starting point as Andy deals in the lengthy and highly personal "The Full Gamut" with the break-up with long time partner Sam Baine. But the mood of the issues dealt with on that track seem to permeate the whole album. Take the opening track "A Life In Mid Crisis", actually quite a jaunty track, with it's opening 80's styled synth lines. This track is maybe an update on Hammill's "Pushing Thirty", here Andy deals with, well it's all in the title really. Another personal song is "Lost In London (25 Years Later)", a further chapter of Andy's experiences in the capital, the first of which appeared in "A Place In The Queue". As always, Andy's observations are amusing and poignant, sometimes at the same time. The other epic track, "Four Egos, One War" was a track originally written for Andy's previous band Parallel Or 90 Degrees (PO90). I am so glad he has unearthed it for this album as it is a definite highlight. A wonderfully arranged piece, with excellent vocals by Julie King. Thinking about it I believe as The Tangent progress, they seem to be getting back to the roots of PO90!

The musicianship throughout is exemplary. The rhythm team of bassist Jonas Reingold and drummer Jaime Salazar is dynamite. Special mention to new guy Jakko M Jakszyk, who lends his excellent vocals and quitar playing to the proceedings. Just listen to his solo on "A Crisis In midlife", fluid and very expressive.

This is an exceptional album. Personal, funny, intelligent, poignant and full of great, great musical highlights. To date this is the bands and in particular Andy Tillison's greatest achievement. Modern prog rock doesn't get any better than this!

A Full Gamut of Progressive Rock
The Tangent's 4th studio set is a true progression from the nostalgic feel of the previous releases. These songs are emotionally quite tough to listen to: heartfelt and intelligent, angry and vulnerable, tender and tough, wryly humorous and deeply sad.

In a music scene where there is so much feeble posturing and pretentious pretence, this is real rock music that achieves the status of art, holding a mirror up to ourselves and the glorious muddle of life. Andy Tillson deserves a medal for having the courage to release it.

Oustanding.
I thought Tangents previous album PLACE IN THE QUEUE was excellent and a difficult one to top but NOT AS GOOD AS THE BOOK is their best work yet. More cohesion of musical style, deeper words (lyrics always a Tangent strong point), more focus of direction, this album really packs a punch.

My favourite section of this two cd set is FOUR EGOS, ONE WAR. Its an amazing piece of writing, lyrically and musically. Tons of light and shade and goosebump moments. Guy Mannings vocals and acoustic quitar on this 21 minute 15 second opus are particularly impressive.

Drop your prog guard, leave your misconceptions at the door and buy this album, your ears and brain will be forever grateful.