When reviewing something, there is always the dilemma between recognizing good, articulated music and liking something subjectively based on whether it is appealing or not. This is where I find myself with Tarantula A.D’s latest “Book of Sand.”
The album feels more like an exotic movie score than a stand-alone music album. The cues from nature, the bells, the classical influences, the Latin hints, and the more standard rock come across like cues to the next big scene rather than pieces that meld together into a cohesive unit. And why that certainly is not a discredit to the group, I felt slightly bored at times without a big screen in front of me.
The vocals are sparse and far between, which is always a bold move. I do not think the move pays off here, however. On “Palo Barracho”, a few saucy vocals would have been dynamite and complemented the creative arrangements and guitar playing on the track. When they are included, it’s on the wrong songs. On “SeaLake,” for example, they sound impish and inaudible.
I am pretty convinced that Tarantula A.D. created what they set out to create – an album with so much going on is not a haphazard assemblage. I understand that the highs and lows of their sound, and the mix and match offerings are all part of a desired effect. I understand the art behind it, but I also understand that it just didn’t work for me. |