Album Review—Our April Tigers

It is Time To beat The Pensive Mood And Pump In Some Energy Into Your Being

You name any genre in music; creativity and imagination are at the root of musical creation. Michael Whalen, the Emmy Award-Winning artist is an enigmatic composer. The enviable experience he has garnered in the domain of New Age music is evident in ‘Our April Tigers’. Whalen’s phenomenal work in World and New Age Music brings together four distinguished talents in the industry to give their best across the seven songs of the album. Their incredibly stunning work seems to have widened the scope of ambient electronic music defying all the preset norms.

‘Our April Tigers’ is all set to win the hearts of the crowds upon its release. Mainly, I was enamored by the dexterity in composition evident in every song I enjoyed on the album. Whalen, Oster, Manring, Brook & Kale have composed and arranged all of these songs and Tom Eaton has mastered them. While the four tall talents in music have played different instruments, they appear to be passionately united in delivering a masterly work that the audience will admire and cherish for years.

The massive teamwork evident in the album has made this album a delicious auditory treat for the listeners. Michael Whalen serves the main course on his keyboards and electronics. Michael Manring spices up the musical treat on his basses and devices. Michael Brook’s guitars and devices enhance the taste. Jeff Oster’s flugelhorn and trumpet add a classic touch to the feast and Karsh Kale’s percussions and samples have helped sustain the guest’s involvement in the music from the start till the end.

1. Over Water 5:27

The opening song is a masterful work by the team. As the title suggests, you feel you are prepared for a long voyage on waters that stretch far and wide in front of you. The composition is brisk right from the beginning and you have hardly any time to stand and stare. The way percussion softly merges with the musical notes is amazing. The tempo is fresh and engaging. The melodies deepen as the song progresses. You have fewer options than getting drifted with the music.

2. Disappear 5:09

The second opus is an awesome piece. The successive progression of tunes one after the other keeps you spellbound witnessing unseen scenes on the move. The percussionist is extremely busy for the entire length of the piece applying quirky rhythms for the song to travel. The kind of engagement you discover with this title is thrilling.

3. Morning Bell 4:43

Morning arrives at the end of a long night. After committing to restful moments, we are fresh enough to invite a new day with bubbling hopes and enthusiasm. ‘Morning Bell’ is a classic example of how music can make the day for you. Sounds from electronics and trumpet dominated this piece creating some special effects for the listener. You discover a new spurt of energy carrying you forward for the day’s expeditions. 

4. Visceral Organ 4:29

Visceral organs are also vital organs of the body. Syncing with your heartbeat, this song thrusts enthusiasm into your being as the heart pumps the serum to every cell of your body. The fourth piece is a crafty work by the team. Rhythms are given the front stage in this composition. This song is thoroughly unlike the earlier ones and hence adds a stunning variety to the album. It is difficult to resist the urge to dance to the thumping music you get to relish in this piece.

5. So Fragile 3:59

Fragility is about the state of things. To turn hard, anything must be put into processes that toughen it. ‘So Fragile’ is an agile composition that has fused a soft play of different instruments, but with a swift progression of melodies and notes. The effect you experience in this song is a kind of respite after the thrilling engagements with the earlier titles. However, you are never allowed to sit back and relax. What comes next will be a surprise you will want more.

6. Hope Haunts 4:54

Haunting hopes fuel each of our moves bereft of which, life loses its purpose. ‘Hope Haunts’ is a fresh piece created altogether in a new tempo. The rhythm instruments seem to relax for a while in this piece taking a back seat. The characteristics of ambient electronic music are predominant in this composition. The musical notes are charming and binding and silently speak to your heart preparing it for active involvement with your pursuits.

7. Temporality 4:17

The temporality of the universe and creation is also educative in breaking the stagnation and keeping us moving with the stream of life. By discovering that nothing is permanent on this earth, we find a new purpose for our existence in doing what we are given and what we ought to rather than getting bound to something. The final song in the album is also a very unique piece that stands out from any other piece. Every participating instrument in this composition gets to assert its capabilities. The finest interplay of a mix of creative ideas helps produce a highly engaging opus that will last for a long after leaving the album.

Moving forward . . .

After a long search, I came across an album that kept me spellbound and captivated to its full length. I found the time I gave to listen to the album is really worth it in transporting me to an altogether new plane of immersive music. I strongly recommend this album to anyone who wants to discover new vistas to which New Age music can travel. Listen to it when you need some boost and you are sure to find tons of energy pumped into you when you need it the most. On your first listening to the album, you are sure to make it your cherished possession for any number of future treats.