Tautologic - 2018 - Re​:​Psychle

(42:28; Turtle Down Music)

Track list:
1. Loud Shoes 3:37
2. Not If But When 2:20
3. The Admiral 3:08
4. The Professor 6:09
5. On Your Left 4:06
6. The Choirboy 5:40
7. Coltrane Supermarket 4:22
8. The Whistler 3:44
9. The Gospel Lady 4:57
10. Osaka Garden 4:35

Line-up:
Ethan Sellers - vocals, keyboards, guitars
Pat Buzby - drums
Nathan Britsch - bass
Chris Greene - saxophones
Aaron Weistrop - guitars
Jeff Yang - violin
Nick Photinos - cello
with:
Aron Topielski - bass
Jennifer Reddick - flutes
Michael Maccaferri - clarinets
Johnny Showtime Janowiak - trombone
Eric Koppa - saxophone
Micah Frazier - trumpet
Diana Lawrence - vocals
Jennifer Justice - vocals
Lillie Sellers - spoken words


Prolusion.
US band Tautologic started out back towards the end of the 1990s, and launched their debut album and a following EP just after the millennium. For multiple reasons the band went quiet as a recording unit for a decade or so following that, but in 2018 they reappeared with a new studio album and in 2021 they were ready with their third and most recent studio production so far. "Re:Psychle" is their comeback album from 2018, and was released through the band's own label Turtle Down Music at the start of that calendar year.

Analysis.
I understand that the material on this album was made for a theatrical production back in the day, and that the album was planned and prepared to be released back in 2007 or thereabouts. Various challenges resulted in the album being filed for a future release instead, and following a decade long wait this album then finally saw the light of day. This is a varied and diverse collection of songs, and one does get the feel early on that this is material made for a play, a cabaret or a show of a similar or comparable variety. It's just something about the mood, the feel and the atmosphere that comes with associations towards a theatrical stage here to a greater extent than, say, a stage at the local pub.

As diverse as this album is in terms of style and orientation, the most common denominator throughout are string instruments used in a manner that brings the chamber rock tradition to mind. Rather than being what I'd describe as full on chamber rock my impression is that the different songs gain some chamber rock sensibilities, applied to songs that at the core may revolve around jazzrock, gentler singer/songwriter excursions of material with more of a classic rock expression and orientation. There's also a bit of a fine dividing line between chamber rock and orchestral rock that is explored on a few occasions here.

Some of the songs here do come with some distinct features and tendencies in very particular directions. One of the songs comes with a very distinct ska underpinning, and also one that at the core level is more of a piano rock tune, both come with strong tendencies and similarities to the joyful antics of English band Madness. This goes for the lead vocals as well as the joyful and whimsical mood and atmosphere that defines these songs. While perhaps not the most interesting ones from a strict progressive rock point of view, even with some chamber rock qualities, they are among the more rewarding and interesting songs at hand when regarded from a more general perspective.

We also get a darker toned and also very much charming creation that comes across as a bit of a mix between Kansas and Jethro Tull. Retaining the violin and guitar blend of the former but with the vocal style, darker mood and atmosphere and vocal style of the latter. Oh, and with a little bit of flute, of course.

Detailing those three songs also says a bit about the album as a whole. This may not be a purebred progressive rock album as such, but it is a solid and enjoyable album whether the landscapes come with progressive seasoning or not.

Conclusion.
This may not be an album for the progressive rock purist, but for the progressive rock fan that appreciates well made music outside of the progressive traditions being a part of a progressive rock production this is an album that should be very much enjoyable still. Chamber rock tendencies and a bit of jazzrock are key elements here, with some fine vocal harmonies at display inside as well as outside of the progressive rock flavored songs. If you also find music that comes with a bit of a theatrical play mood and mode to be generally intriguing, chances are high that you will find this album to be a rewarding experience.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, December 2023

Links:
https://www.tautologic.com/
https://www.turtledown.com/