A Place on the Shelf
The Tangent · 2009
57 min · 5 tracks · progressive rock
Intricate melodies and complex time signatures intertwine with whimsical storytelling in an expansive progressive rock journey.
Top tracks — play these first
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Le Massacre du printemps, Part 1 — This track introduces the thematic and musical motifs that permeate the album, featuring intricate instrumentation that highlights the band's technical prowess.
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Live on Air — At over twenty minutes, this epic piece encapsulates the spirit of progressive rock with its evolving dynamics and narrative flow, showcasing The Tangent's ability to blend complexity with accessibility.
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I Wanna Be a Chick — This track stands out for its playful lyrics and infectious melody, offering a lighter contrast to the album’s more serious themes while maintaining the band's signature sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate compositions and thematic depth solidify its place in progressive rock while maintaining a distinct sound.
What we noticed
- Each track incorporates intricate instrumental sections that shift between various themes, often returning to motifs introduced earlier in the album.
- The lyrics employ whimsical storytelling, with a focus on character-driven narratives that unfold throughout the songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- whimsical storytelling with depth
- patient exploration of themes
- dynamic shifts in intensity
- immersive long-form compositions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2009, A Place on the Shelf is The Tangent's fourth studio album, following their critically acclaimed release, Not As Good As The Book. At this point in their career, the band was refining their progressive rock sound, embracing longer compositions and a more eclectic mix of influences that would appeal to both long-time fans and new listeners.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Spock's Beard· Transatlantic· The Flower Kings
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Le Massacre du printemps, Part 1 11:42
- 2 Everyman's Forgotten Monday 5:09
- 3 I Wanna Be a Chick 4:32
- 4 Live on Air 21:41
- 5 Le Massacre du printemps, Part 2 14:43
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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