Tanger ~ Argentina

Mundos Parelelos (2008)

With Mundos Parelelos, Tanger finally carries the same lineup forward. Not surprisingly, the sound doesn't evolve much. Though it's clear that Tanger are beginning to slow down as rockers, and the flute becomes even more of the focus. At this point, Tanger are starting to resemble the Catalonian group Gotic more than Humus and King Crimson, though that's overstating it somewhat.

Ownership: 2008 Viejero Inmovil (CD). Cardboard gatefold. Acquired in 2012.

10/24/12 (review); 9/14/23

Ciudad (2006)

Once again Tanger changes the lineup on Ciudad, this time replacing the guitarist and the drummer. And as per protocol, not much changes regarding the music. The psychedelic aura is perhaps slightly more toned down, and melodic interplay is more championed. At this point, Tanger are sounding more like an updated version of the obscure 1970s Chilean group Blops at the time of Locomotora.

Ownership: 2006 Viejero Inmovil (CD). Acquired in 2007.

2/1/07; 10/23/12 (review)

La Otra Cara (2002)

Very little changes from their debut on Tanger's sophomore effort La Otra Cara, perhaps only scaling back the excess slightly, with only one of the (again) 12 songs exceeding the five minute mark. It is interesting to note that Tanger did swap out flautists, and yet you wouldn't notice unless you had a scorecard. Tanger seems to be modular when it comes to the individual's participation.

Ownership: 2002 Viejero Inmovil (CD). Acquired in 2004.

2004; 10/22/12 (review)

Tanger (1999)

Tanger is an obscure group from Argentina with four albums (as I write this) that has been criminally neglected. The band is absolutely under the control of bassist and synthesist Luis Colucci, who has written every song (43 recorded to date) and is the only constant throughout their history. As such, the band hasn't evolved as much as would normally be expected from an interactive quartet. Though most certainly they've all steadily improved as musicians.

Tanger's debut is quite startling, and was quite a revelation for me in 1999. The sound is right from the Mexican school of neo psychedelic space rock as championed by Loch Ness, Humus, and Frolic Froth. A thick, wedgy, and very psychedelic guitar sound permeates. Muddy bass and thunderous drums takes you through the wilderness of the Andes, and images of Krautrock legends such as UFO era Guru Guru are not far away. The angular nature of the compositions call out another obvious influence: King Crimson at the time of Larks' Tongues in Aspic. But that only tells half the story: Tanger's ace-in-the-hole is the contrasting instrument amongst the fray - that of the flute. So in the end you get 12 individual tracks of an all-instrumental psychedelic version of the Beauty and the Beast. Beautiful and melodic flute lines are offset by evil and mean fuzz guitar licks. Ironically, band leader and songwriter Luis Colucci is the least intrusive of the band members, primarily staying in the background, content on keeping the proceedings grounded with his steady hand on the bass. And this is the formula Tanger takes forward to the future.

Ownership: 1999 private (CD). Booklet with recording details. Acquired in 1999.

1999; 10/21/12 (review); 8/19/26

10/21/12 (new entry)