Tiles
Presents Of Mind

The more unknown a band is, the more soul I tend to put into reviewing their album. This time, I feel compelled to say something about Tiles, a band from Detroit that doesn't seem to receive much attention in the progressive scene. They could somehow be considered the American version of Rush; their sounds indeed closely echo those of the Canadian trio but remain no less interesting for that.

To get an idea of what they have to offer, the album you might want to listen to first could be "Presents Of Mind," the band's third album, released in 1999, which seems to be the best, or rather, the one where the various elements of their sound find space with the right rationality and measure.

We are faced with a mature hard progressive, with the right technical dose, the right power, and a good melodic taste. The 10 tracks that compose this gem unravel with great skill between powerful hard rock riffs, intricate guitar and bass passages, excellent acoustic moments, all accompanied by a bright voice that gives a touch of great liveliness. The keyboards come in only sporadically when deemed necessary to add that extra touch.

As you go through the tracks, you notice how some try to highlight certain elements and others bring out others, but all adhere to a common denominator that gives homogeneity to the album.

And so we find ourselves facing energetic songs like "Facing Failure" and "Modification"; tracks teetering between hard rock energy and acoustic finesse such as "Static" and "Taking Control" (with its particular mandolin inserts, an instrument that can sporadically be found in the group's production); tracks highlighting the power-technical combination like "Safe Procedures" and especially the excellent instrumental "Ballad Of Sacred Cows"; and tracks where the acoustic and melodic vein takes better hold, like "The Learning Curve" and the long concluding "Reasonable Doubt" (with its beautiful violin parts); and the two brief acoustic interludes called "Crossing Words" and "The Sandtrap Jig" are also very carefully crafted and refined, demonstrating that one should never underestimate short-duration tracks.

And hearing the class of this group, it's a pity to know that they haven't achieved much recognition in the prog scene. Perhaps due to their resemblance to Rush??? But it's also true that some notable names have praised them. Just think that in the same year, 1999, Mike Portnoy wanted them alongside his Dream Theater as supporting acts during the promotional tour of "Scenes From A Memory" (they even came to Milan); or more recently, Ian Anderson, the historical leader of Jethro Tull, defined them as one of the most promising bands around.

Personally, I recommend giving these guys a listen. I feel that with their sophisticated yet powerful and direct sound, they could appeal to both hard rock lovers and listeners of a more prog faith. In addition to this album, I also recommend the previous "Fence The Clear" (recognizable for the fencer on the cover) and the subsequent "Window Dressing," probably the most varied and ambitious. Good as well, although a step below the first self-titled and the last "Fly Paper."

Happy listening! (and I would say also happy discovery!)