Tangents: One Little Light Year

Tangents is a two piece formed by Derek Kerswill who is the drummer in the metal band Unearth and vocalist Dave Witham and while having Kerswill on board would hint at music from the heavier end of the spectrum, that really isn't the case. Closer to the mark would be to suggest that One Little Light Year combines the more restrained elements of The Pineapple Thief, Muse or Radiohead and adds the ultra smoothness of Coldplay or even Keane to the mix. Now what makes the first three bands in that list interesting, is their abilities to use counterpoints in their music to continually change the focal point and attack of their songs. Unfortunately this is something that Tangents come close to on many occasions, without ever really bringing to fruition. Too often songs such as "(Missing) One Little Light Year" and "The Pieces Fall" start off with lush arrangements, layers of keys and effects and never really move that early promise into more interesting areas. Even the songs that do evolve further as they progress, like "Hyde", are from the school of start slow and end fast that so many bands have already graduated from.

That's not to suggest that there's nothing to admire here, as that would be very harsh indeed on an album that contains songs that are well crafted and performed, especially when you keep in mind that there is only two people involved in the process. The melodies are strong and Witham has a voice that works well in these surroundings and the production is slick and sharp. It's not so much that the album is unimpressive, it is more that is all rather underwhelming. Taken in small doses the approach that Tangents are adept at can reel you in and envelope you, however across twelve tracks, it all becomes far too similar and rather than revel in the surroundings, you are left hankering for the merest glimpse of something different on the horizon.

That said, there is enough promise shown on this debut album to make me interested enough in what tangents Tangents may hopefully come up with for their next effort.

Track Listing
01. Arrow In The Heart
02. Homecoming (Victory Song)
03. Fall Asleep Again
04. Static
05. (Missing) One Little Light Year
06. The Pieces Fall
07. Nothing Left Undone
08. When Will It End?
09. Hyde
10. What The Scanner See
11. Blind Spots
12. Watch You Go

Added: October 9th 2010
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Tangents Web Page
Hits: 2098
Language: english

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