The thought of writing a review for a post-rock/math rock or ‘instrumental rock’ album can be overwhelming, especially when a portion of my album reviews focus on lyrics.
So that’s immediately scratched off.
Its also daunting as I am in no way a musician and lack the background and technical know how to have the credibility to actually talk about music (I have a Nursing degree and don’t play any sort of musical instrument whatsoever and have been working in the BPO industry for more than ten years) let alone one which relies on music-alone.
I just like to listen to a lot of different kinds of music and like everything else am really, really passionate about it.
Then I realized music isn’t always about the technical details, sure being educated about genres will help you navigate through the many material out there and having general knowledge about musical terms is essential so your audience knows what you’re talking about but in truth, its actually how the music makes you feel that really matters.
And tide/edit’s “All my friends” made me feel a lot of things.
“All My Friends” is a positive and inspiring musical experience that doesn’t even require words or lyrics to express this. I was actually working on another album review when I gave the album a quick listen and I immediately went on “writer mode” scribbling away on an open notebook in my chicken scrawl of a handwriting.
You can check out the band’s video for “Twelve” which is also part of “All my friends”.
Paul and I influence each other when it comes to music (he’s actually sleeping when I listened to the album and I can’t wait to share this with him when he wakes up) -our love for post rock / math rock definitely comes from him. If you have no idea what “instrumental rock” is all about – tide / edit ‘s “All my friends” is a great introduction to the genre.
The album is made up of 12 tracks and once you listen to the first track “Pelagic” it just keeps on going from one track to the next with its steady drum rolls, sensual bass lines, harmonic guitars; playing and teasing, soothing and calling- it calls to you to move, to sway, to dance, to feel, (or in my case to write) -its the music that is the star.
“Lakeshore” highlights an acoustic guitar with some subtle percussion and its just glorious and its abrupt end will leave you wanting for more.
“White Flag” which features the hauntingly beautiful vocals of Dee Cruz is the only track in the album with lyrics and as if by some sort of genius is the last track and makes you realize you did not miss the traditional lyrics with music accompaniment and it is as if the entire album is a prologue to this satisfying end. It creates this unique experience that you have to listen to the entire album that all of its tracks are pieces that make up one beautiful puzzle.
4/5. “All My Friends” is now streaming on Spotify and is available for pre-order on the Spur of the Moment website. Click here.