Tantric - The post-grunge outfit Days of the New rocked heavy in 1998 with their major-label eponymous debut and the singles "Solitude" and "Touch, Peel and Stand," and the boys from Louisville, KY, quickly absorbed the fast success and MTV's praise. But as soon as they enjoyed the rock & roll fast life, original band members Todd Whitener (guitar), Jesse Vest (bass), and Matt Taul (drums) left the band after creative differences and whirlwind hype. Two years later, the three were still making music, but under the moniker Tantric. Signed to Madonna's label Maverick, the band welcomed new vocalist Hugo Ferreira and a brand new self-titled album more rollicking and bold than their previous rock band.
The bands music is sort of a heavy, alternative - rock sound bursting with beautiful melodies on acoustic guitars, and their debut tells more of a story then their sophomore album, After We Go.
Tantric:
Hugo Ferreira: Lead Vox
Todd Whitener: Lead Guitar, Vox
Jesse Vest: Bass
Matt Taul: Drums
Track By Track Review:
Breakdown - Begining with a signature guitar riff by Whitener, the bands first single is a mess of acoustic and electric guitars, heavy rhythms, powerful choruses, and raspy vocals. A great as it is, the bridge is what throws this song off, not having anything to do with the song itself. Without the bridge, this song would deserve a 5/5, but doesn't quite make it with it.
4/5
Live Your Life - Another acoustic ditty, and better than it's predecessor, displaying ferreira's vocal talents and Taul's drumming abilites. The chorus evolves into a hint of things to come in the next few tracks. The overlapping guitar is an excellent touch, and only adds to the greatness of this track.
5/5
I Don't Care - Actually the most acoustic song on the album, I Don't Care, may carry acoustic chords, but that doesn't stop this tank of a song, including thumping bass, and a chorus that echoes throughout the song, and Whitener's backing vocals are something to savor in this great track.
5/5
Paranoid - The intro is the downfall of this song, but it manages to reintroduce itself, with a pre-chorus that leads into the beautiful chorus perfectly. The lyrics are hinting at an inside look into a psychiatrist's office (?), and the result is brilliant. Can't get enough of this song.
4.5/5
Revillusion - Not that it's bad, but this song is only merely good. The verse is ugly, and the chorus introduces us to a new Tantric, with mean lyrics, a crooked voice and rhythmic guitars.
3/5
Mourning - Mourning, a return to the acoustic Tantric, is great. Ferreira's vocal performance is the perfect coating over a calm guitar and lurching pianos. The verse may seem like the highlight, until the chorus comes, and takes it's place. It may seem poppy to hardcore music critics, but if you just listen to it without a judgemental mind, you realize it's a great example of what Tantric can do.
5/5
Astounded - I used to love this song, but i gradually like it less and less as the years went by. It's the verse that is the worst part of the song, but the chorus is the exception, with a hook that gets into your head easily. Again with the great backing vocals.
4/5
I'll Stay Here - It's kind of ugly, but it's accepted, and it's sort of an Alice In Chains thing, but falls short of what both Alice In Chains and Tantric and do.
2/5
Frequency - The heaviest and meanest song on the album, it's enjoyable and a guilty pleasure at the same time. The guitar covers the rhythm section just enough to make it the perfect introductory song at a Metallica concert. The chorus is pure Tantric, though, giving it a sense of originality.
5/5
All To Myself - This song promotes one thing - Ferreira's moaning. Though it's still great, it's the guitar that's the show stealer. The chorus is amazing - one of the best moments on the album. Definitley a highlight.
5/5
Hate Me - Wow. It's pure Tantric, making the best song on the cd, and the drumming is the highlight of this song. Keeping it real, that's what it's about. The guitar just has this sound that makes it just sound like it's hard to play. This song also contains the best chorus on the album. Definitley the best track.
5/5
Inside your Head - Then something happened - Tantric takes on the role of a Jar Of Flies song, complete with Staley-ish vocal stylings. The AIC influence remains strong in Ferreira's voice. It may seem long, but 5:00 just breezes by. Ferreira's voice may sound like it's heavely influenced, but it's an all star performance. And even though it gets repetetive, it's still listenable at least.
3.5/5
This is probably one of the coolest - and most underated - albums i've ever heard. even though After We Go is nowhere as good, Tantric is a great artist to look to for inspired music, and i appreciate every minute of it.
GN
