 Tantric
"After We Go" CD
Maverick
Records
Genres: alternative rock, hard rock
Maverick Records
9348 Civic Center Drive
Beverly Hills, CA
90210
Jul 26 - Aug 1 2004 |
The songs on Tantric's After We Go album should be
played at football games. They have a spirited, foot-stomping
energy, as well as an irresistible melodic infectiousness, that can't
be beat. Even the more emotional, sensitive songs could work in
a forgettable teen romance-thriller like "Cruel Intentions"
or "Swimfan." Don't mistake my hypothesizing for
condescension, though, as these tunes are actually remarkably
effective - as far as metal-infused alternative rock goes, Tantric
has it all. After We Go is catchy as heck, and its
urgent, powerful atmosphere should prove quite appealing, even to the
most discerning listeners.
Practically every one of After We Go's twelve songs
accomplishes its main objective - one listen and you're hooked -
although this means the album is somewhat homogeneous. Hard
rockers "Chasing After" and "Change the World"
succeed due to pounding percussion and aggressive guitars, as well as
infectious sing-along choruses that beg to be played in
stadiums. On the other hand, there are also some more
conservative tracks like "Falling Away" and "Hero"
which add depth to the album, and make for excellent melodic
fodder. A successful cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The
Chain" evens things out.
All in all, Tantric's album accomplishes its purpose, and
will surely provide its fanbase with all that could possibly be desired.
Though unoriginal, it's tough to condemn After We Go,
even though its premise is far from groundbreaking. I'll be
listening for "Change the World" on my next trip to the
Skydome.
80%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 12 tracks, distributed by Amazon, released
2004] |
