The Tirith -
Tales From The Tower


(CD 2015, 70:33, Convergent Recordings CVGT0001)

The tracks:
  1- Farewell Fair Laurien(5:50)
  2- Gin Lil(6:59)
  3- Laurelae(4:40)
  4- Home From The Sea(6:58)
  5- The Daughter Of The Water(6:46)
  6- The Quest(4:03)
  7- Gazing At Stars(5:31)
  8- The Tower(3:01)
  9- Song Of All Ages(5:47)
10- Pioneers Of The Outer Arm(6:58)
11- Lost(10:03)

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UK based band The Tirith has a history that takes you back to the seventies. Disbanded and reformed in 2010 The Tirith started to play festivals and did selected concerts. The last three years they worked on the album Tales From The Tower. An album that sees compositions that go back to the first incarnation of the band, but have been interpreted and recorded in the modern progressive rock idiom. The Tirith consists of founding members Tim Cox; guitars and keyboards and Richard Cory; vocals, bass, acoustic guitars and pedals. The duo is also responsible for the songwriting and Tim Cox did the production of the album. The drums are performed by latest band member Carl Nightingale and Paul Williams on four tracks.

Tales From The Tower turned out to be a very pleasant album, with elements from both classic rock as well as neo progressive rock and solid compositions. Like the opener Farewell Fair Laurien, a song that vocally combines the vocal lines of neo prog rock with hunches of RPWL's Yogi Lang. Musically we are taken back a few years with electronic sounding drums and even some Rush reminding parts come to mind. The following Gin Lil has a slightly bluesy touch and takes The Tirith's music towards the style of landsmen Wishbone Ash. During the semi acoustic The Quest and the other slower songs like Laurelae and Gazing At Stars, the attention is drawn to the vocals, which immediately take you back to the years when progressive rock started to grow, gaining an audience and basically conquering the musical world our readers live in. Personally my highlights are the more powerful compositions on the album, The Daughter Of The Water, The Tower, Pioneers Of The Outer Arm and the epic Lost. Songs that are filled with strong guitars and solos that combine modern music with the old trusted parts.

Tales From The Tower certainly is a strong album for those who like their progressive rock music solid and heavily based on the seventies. I know a lot of the progressive rock fans cherish the seventies and The Tirith's music definitely has its roots in that decade. So, Tales From The Tower is an absolute must for the old school fans, but on the other hand, if you are into more modern progressive rock and massive riffs, I suggest you first listen to the music before a purchase.

***+ Pedro Bekkers (edited by Astrid de Ronde)

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