Sometimes you are given material by bands you
know nothing about at all yet you try to help yourself using every little
detail the scarse information in the booklet gives you. So I think the first
seven songs on this album date from ’96,
whilst an extra track has been added on a cassette version of this album
with a further, ninth, track on the CD I’m now listening to. And pleasant
it is too when we set off with the funky instrumental ’23 enigma’
containing the perfect mix between prog and fusion highlighting some truly
wonderful guitar. Try and think of Brand X blending with Shakatak in order
to get you on Top Of The Pops ! I think we have struck the core of what
Tantalus is al about with ‘Shot down in flames’ which delivers a nice
piece of blues as issued by the likes of Blue Blot (Belgian funky pop
outfit, JB) Delivering a fair amount of flageolets ‘Light from dark’ is
yet another pièce de résistance for guitarist/singer Rupert Willder.
Another pleasant instrumental is delivered by means of ‘Moondance’ which
does include some Camel licks. A new recording is added in the form of
Bach’s ‘Toccata and fugue in D minor’ which of course turns all
spotlights in the direction of Max and Gérlinde Hunt whilst Nick Becre
steps in as new guitarist (although I don’t like the stolen riff from the
Kinks’ ‘You really got me’ in the backgrond !). The bonustrack
‘Can’t say no’ sports yet another guitarist and singer illustrating
what I was afraid of being that Tantalus combines skilled musicians on the
lookout for originality yet strands in bland pop as opposed to well crafted
progressive gems. Back to the drawing board I’m afraid. Reviewed by : John ‘Bobo’ Bollenberg |
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