Summer may be over, but the sun is still shining brightly on ALO’s newest album, Tangle Of Time. This latest release is record number nine for the jam band, and the fourth full-length album since signing with Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records in 2006. Tangle Of Time continues the band’s signature summery vibe, with a sound that ranges from mellow to funky, from jammy to jazzy, and everywhere in between. It is a highly-diverse, all-encircling record from start to finish, and is some of the best material the band has released thus far.
Beginning with the happy-go-lucky sounds of “There Was a Time”, the band’s sunny, warm vibe sets in immediately. Their approach is as festive as ever, as Zach Gill’s accordion and Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz’ Jerry-esque lead guitar stylings blend perfectly with the beach-friendly musical atmosphere. Caution – listeners may experience feelings of extreme happiness and euphoria.
“I’m a dirty little kid with some mud on my face, singing songs about love and the human race,” sings Steve Adams on the smooth single, “Not Old Yet”. With easygoing vocals, cheerful whistling and laid-back slide-guitar, it is the embodiment of Animal Liberation Orchestra. This amiable tune is followed by a funky, cosmic trip called “The Ticket”, which captivatingly separates itself from the rest of the album with its trancey, synth-heavy vibe. Some other interesting moments appear on songs like, “Coast to Coast” and “Keep On”. The latter track is a funk-filled, tremendously tight groove with some pleasantly unexpected turns, while “Coast to Coast” stands out with its burning social conscience and cool jazz breakdown in the middle.
While the previously mentioned songs exemplify the more experimental side of ALO, tracks such as, “Undertow”, “A Fire I Kept”, and the ever-so-sweet love song, “Sugar”, delve into the mellower, more laid-back realms of their sound. Track two, “Push” gives the record even more balance with its super-catchy hook and pop sensibility.
Beginning to end – Tangle Of Time is truly an album tangled in time. From the deep-rooted musing on “There Was a Time”, through the childhood reminiscence on the heartwarming highlight, “Simple Times”, to the gorgeously reflective “Strange Days” at the album’s conclusion, ‘time’ seems to be the operative word here. Much like time itself, this record rolls out a vast musical journey with ostensibly endless possibilities. Zach Gill says it best at the heart of the record: “time is the sweetest of treasures.”
The album was released today, October 2nd, and you can find more information about it here.
By Joseph Conlon