Tides – Resurface
Tides – Resurface (2005)
If there’s any theme in the albums I’ve reviewed so far, it’s the balance of repetition and development. Resurface by post-rock/metal group Tides showcases a scant 6 tunes in just under 50 minutes, but each piece is a unique oblation to growling, low-tempo sludge that Isis, Sleep and Electric Wizard made totally awesome.
Resurface is essentially everything I wanted out of the experimental, instrumental side of Tool, but better (I’m thinking of the holy trinity of Disposition, Reflection and Triad from Lateralus, which was my first exposure to instrumental prog metal whateveryouwannacallit years ago). Man, I hate comparing a band’s sound to another’s, but I’m learning. Anyway, each song has several movements – mountains of sound rise and fall; low-tuned guitars, deep drums and rumbling bass require eviction-level volumes and a capable subwoofer.
Nonstop destruction isn’t the name of the game, though. I love the arrangement on Resurface. Starting things out right, the 12-minute “Resurface” hits hard and doesn’t let up. Honestly, I don’t think guitars were ever meant to sound this thick, but I’m perfectly fine with that. “By The Droves” takes a step back with dancing melodies and ambient drones. “Aurora” might be my favorite on the album – I’m a sucker for the snaky rhythm riffs, echoing leads and the monstrous breakdown/climax at the 5:20 mark. The shoreside sounds in the intro of the fourth track, “Sirens Fade,” give way to a tribal rhythm section. The clean, resonant layers of guitar (feedback, reverb and volume swells put to amazing effect here) evoke a serene yet dark aural landscape. Tides picks it up again with “Wash Away,” bringing back dense rhythms and intriguing progressions throughout 11 minutes – really fun to play along with.
Instrumental albums have a large void to fill. Groups with vocalists often can get away with flubs on an instrument or hide a flaw underneath vocals, but you have to stay tight if you’re all instrumental. Tides is tight. Locked down, cemented, playing as one – perfectly together. At the same time, layered instruments give Tides’ sound such an open, airy feeling, exhibited perfectly on the quieter tracks. Likewise, instrumental albums often need direction. The closer “The Other Shore” does just that – it shows you the door, says thanks and kicks ass at the same time.
Beg, borrow or steal buy this album. Listen when you’re angry, overjoyed, overworked, sexed, stoned, whatever. It’s a work of art. Just make sure you have time to devote to it. I read once that the sound of industrial droners Sunn O))) was the sound of earth being created. If that’s true, Resurface is the sound of the universe coming together.
GREAT CD!