Well, there is something to be said for taking the time to get it right. The Tygers’ first album was released in the 1960’s and the follow up release is just now coming out in 2010. Mind you, they broke up for an extended period of time and are just now getting back together. The music here is modern, but well rooted in those 1960’s sounds. Frankly, this doesn’t sound dated in terms of delivery or recording, but the music itself could have definitely been written, recorded and released in the 1960’s. It’s a good disc that isn’t far off of early progressive rock in a lot of ways.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2010 Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
How Long Does It Take
There’s a mellow, easy going element to this. The cut reminds me at times of the Grateful Dead, but there’s also a definite Beatles leaning.
Voo Doo There’s a killer retro jam band sound here, but the vocal arrangement and some of the other changes make me think a lot of early progressive rock acts.
Scottsdale Blues Appropriately, this is a bluesy jam. It’s got some of that Grateful Dead element on board, but is much more blues meets jazz in texture.
Girl Like You Bouncy and fun, this is very much in a 1960’s pop music motif. There’s a killer horn section on display.
You Know Where To Reach Me This number feels very jazz-like. It definitely is tied to the pop music of the 1960’s, but the horns and soulful arrangement are cool. In some ways this reminds me of The Association.
Night Walker A cool funky groove is added to the basic sonic soup that was the last piece. It’s a great tune.
Just Enough Time This retro pop rock is somewhat light weight. There is quite a bit of a prog rock leaning to it, though. It’s just a little on the “bubble gum” side for my tastes.
Never Too Late A bouncy, ragtime cut, this is fun. It’s a nice change of pace and has some banjo.
Step By Step This really feels a lot like something from The Association, except for the jazzy outro.
Maya With a bit of a Latin tinge to it, there is a good chunk of The Beatles here, but also some progressive rock. It gets quite involved as it carries on, and is one of the highlights of the set. There’s a cool jazzy movement at the end, too.
