This is one strange album. I popped the CD on and went of to do something else, coming back just in time for the Panic! At The Disco-influenced ‘As the Cold Rain Falls’ and then the Spanish love song ‘Hechizo de Amor’. To say that wasn’t what I was expecting was a massive understatement. But despite the fact this record at times sounds a bit like a mix CD, Tiger Army really have upped their game on this CD. They’ve kind of ditched part of the psychobilly sound they previously played and while there are still elements around – such as the great bass slapping on ‘Afterworld’ – this record is far more ‘poppy’ than previous efforts. It also sounds a lot like AFI, but then that’s not really a surprise anymore…
This album is certainly varied and perhaps the most varied album the band have done. ‘Forever Fades Away’ reminds me a bit of a really melodic Alkaline Trio, a slow burner with an absolutely massive chorus that, no offence to the band, you just wouldn’t expect to come from them. The slow Spanish song if further proof of the band’s new-found slower side, but they also do the quicker thing too and, for me, that’s when Tiger Army at their best. ‘Ghosts of Memory’ is more like it, while their psychobilly influences shine through on ‘LunaTone’.
At times the variations don’t work, while at others the band are a little too melodic, but it would be unfair to criticise the band for trying to do something a little different. At the very least ‘Music From Regions Beyond’ is interesting and varied and that deserves some credit. Plus there are some fucking blinding tracks on this. Fans will be intrigued, but I suspect a shedload of new ones will go batty for Tiger Army this time round…