It's been 3 years since we last heard from Tide/Edit via their album Lightfoot. I did a review of it on my previous website (which is down but soon will be up again) and here we are in 2018. They are giving us a new album entitled "All My Friends" which is an album dedicated to all of their friends (they don't call them fans, they are friends)
But is the new album still has the staying power or Foreign Languages? or trippy tunes found in Lightfoot? Let's find out track by track.
1. Pelagic - The album starts up with this track and i'm pretty sure after hearing this tune, you will find yourself listening to the same guys who brought you always right, never left. It sets the happy opening mood of the album.
2. To the Zoo - Another happy tune and one of my personal favorites from the album. To the zoo has these melodies that are catchy and bass riffs that fits the whole song perfectly. I recommend playing this track while driving with the sunrise view, or just nod your head to the beat if you feel like it. I also like how the song fades out.
3. Mr. Crame - At first you will notice that it sounds like Pelagic but a little faster. However, you can hear the tightness of the band on certain parts where they all blend it perfectly. another track i can recommend listening to.
4. Twelve - At first this track reminded me of uchu konbini from the intro riffs of the guitar. Then as you are feeling the slow and steady vibe, the build up in the middle part comes in and this is where the beauty of the songs stands out. It changes tempo but everyone is still on their respective places. Bassline work for this track is very nice.
5. Fragments - I can't find words to this beautiful and probably the best track from the album. I'll have you guys go get a listen to it. This is the hidden gem of the album.
6. Snappy - Reminds me of Toe, yes the new releases from Toe. Although most of the tracks may remind you of Toe, this track in particular reminds me of the Toe-esque approach of the band. This is not a bad thing in fact this is a good thing. Kinda bummer cause it's only 2 minutes long.
7. Afterglow - A laid back slow track, Afterglow will remind you of their early track from the lightfoot album aimlesness. slow, calm and perfect to slow down the upbeat tracks from the start.
8. Chronograph - Lots of delay, reverb and drum machine sample loops for this track, another slow and steady track. I'll consider this one a filler to bridge the listeners to the next track.
9. Aggro - From the title track itself, aggro starts out with the bass drum, then slowly picking up with the snare while the guitar riff is slow and steady. However upon reaching the middle part you can now hear the buildup of aggressiveness on both guitars just answering to each other's riffs. Then it all ends out all aggressive. The now calm guitar riff has become aggressive as the song ends.
10. Noe is my friend - Another track that i can consider personally as just a filler, it fells somewhat short for me. Just an average track thus i only consider this as a filler. Well, just my opinion.
11. Lakeshore - A slow and steady track which now reminds me of Depapepe. Perfect to listen to while slow steadying beside the pool, ocean or any place chill.
12. White Flag (Feat. Dee Cruz) - this is the first time im hearing Tide / Edit playing with guest vocals. A nice track to end the song. The haunting goodbye lyrics while the boys are happily playing their instruments only gives us one assurance. They will be back for another album in due time.
All My Friends is one of those albums that some may like and some may not like. For me, i' liked it a lot except for at least 2 tracks that fairly fell short to my liking. But hey, that doesn't mean that this is not a good album. this is a great album for me personally and i will now rank up these tide/edit albums and eps in the following order
1. Foreign Languages
2. All My Friends
3. Ideas Live EP
4. Lightfoot
5. Ideas EP
6. A work in progress
I'll give it a 4 out 5 stars. Must buy if you are a fan or maybe even new ones will like it. It may not top Foreign Languages but hey, each and everyone of us has their own personal opinions on these album.
As for me, i'll keep supporting these guys through thick and thin because this talent only comes once in a while and i am very glad i got a chance to listen to them.
All my Friends can now be streamed on Spotify and can be purchased via Bandcamp digitally. For CD collectors like me, you can order a physical copy via A Spur Of The Moment shop.
And please please please, no to piracy and support their album.