A New Year

So the new year starts and what will it bring? Well, already on the radar for later this month are new titles by Tiles and Ayreon. The latest Ayreon concept piece, obscurely called 01011001 is another rmassive 2 disc affair and the first since 2004’s “The Human Equation”. Tiles are considered Rush copyists, not only sounding like the trio, but using their old producer, Terry Brown and cover artist, Hugh Syme and actually have Alex Lifeson appearing on one track of the new album, “Fly Paper”. But there is more to this band than the Rush tag may imply and previous albums such as “Window Dressing” and “Presents of Mind” deserve much attaention.

Also for this month sees the long expected “The Bedlam of Goliath” by The Mars Volta. More frazzled, skewed, obscure sonic shenanigans can be expected.

But for me the one to look out for is the latest by Andy Tillison’s The Tangent. “Not As Good As The Book” is a 2 CD album, which comes with a 100 page storybook/comic strip. This huge, lavish project should see the band at the peak of their game. I have heard a demo of one track “A Crisis In Midlife” which is excellent. The album also sees the debut of Jakko M. Jakszyk on guitar and vocals who from the evidence of his work with the 21st Century Schizoid Band and on the wonderful solo album “The Bruised Romantic Glee Club” will clearly be a huge bonus to the bands sound. Due sometime March this album is not to be missed!!