Some other day I’ll figure out how to more creatively introduce artists in these reviews, but anyway, Glaswegian Ricky Egan is the man behind Tangles. AIS mentions their excitement that Egan is an astrophysicist, but this is no mere mathematical music. It’s actually made up mostly of fascinating and beautiful guitar work.
Side A, “Poplars,” starts off with several plaintive electric guitar pieces recorded on tape that sound at times like an instrumental Beatles demo that might appear on their Anthology releases. These flow by until the side suddenly and curiously kicks into gear with a soaring, driving New Wave instrumental, with waves of chorused guitar and massive leads finishing up the side with a strangely appropriate conclusion. Side B is just as lush and contemplative, with guitars dissolving into yearning filtered loops and back into gurgling guitar drones. Everything is controlled and considered. This one may be a sleeper, but it’s totally worth tracking down.
