TILES ‘Window Dressing’
(Inside Out)(2004)
'Window Dressing' is Tiles 4th studio album and 5th overall, surprisingly
their first since 1999 release of 'Presents Of Mind'.
Not much has changed in the passing years between albums. The Tiles sound is
still pretty much what they have developed over the course of those previous
3 albums. Terry Brown, long time Rush producer at the helm, the Rush
connection continues with the albums artwork supplied by Hugh Syme, famous
for his work with the Canadian trio. Syme also makes a guest appearance on
keyboards on the album.
Without calling Tiles, Rush clones, I can't help think of Rush throughout
'Window Dressing'. It must be the style rather than the substance, or it
could be guitarist, Chris Herin's sound that in places is lot like that of
Alex Lifeson's.
Opening with the epic title track, clocking in at 17 minutes, it's heavier
than the progressive rock Tiles normally play. With three instrumentals,
shorter songs and couple of longer ones, there is plenty on offer here to
keep you coming back for more to explore and find new things to digest.
'Window Dressing' is not an immediate album that will hit you straight away.
But spend some time with it and you'll appreciate the attention to detail
and the layers that are hidden underneath Tiles progressive rock sound.
****
Review by Graham Boyle
|
