Tantric [ENHANCED]

Tantric

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 13, 2001)
• Original Release Date: February 13, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Maverick
• ASIN: B00005899O
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (121 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,935 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Days of the New hit with the singles "Touch, Peel and Stand" and "Shelf in the Room." But they were a band in name only, and when singer Travis Meeks dumped his bandmates, it was a blessing in disguise for the musicians. Now, ex-DOTN members Todd Whitener (guitar), Jesse Vest (bass), and Matt Taul (drums) have a stellar, if sometimes mumbling, singer in Hugo Ferreira, and as Tantric, carry on the heavy acoustic-rock tradition they started in DOTN. Overall, Tantric's dozen-song debut is rather linear, with many of the songs more vibe-y than distinctive, though there are a few standouts. While the disc's first single, "Breakdown," is spare, midtempo, heavy-mellow, and typical of the album as a whole, departures include "Frequency," with its faster, angrier approach, and "Paranoid," with a cool fuzzy bass tone and ominous vocal delivery. The classical guitar stylings and diverse and welcome vocal inflections make the lighter and dynamic "Hate Me" likeable, while the complexities of "Revillusion" also add interest. Ultimately akin to a less dour Alice in Chains meets Creed, Tantric's solid songs are certainly the radio sound du jour, and possibly of tomorrow as well. --Katherine Turman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, March 26, 2001

By A Customer

I wasn't really disappointed about the Days of the New breakup (massive lay-off is probably a better description), because I never really like DOTN. Travis Meeks's lyrics never really did anything for me-- "The shelf in the room has been the way . . ." Gimme a break.

Then I heard the new "Breakdown" on the radio, and felt like I should get the album to hear the rest of Tantric's work. When I learned that the former emembers of DOTN and a new lead singer (Ferreira) made up Tantric, I was even more intrigued. I stood in line at the store hoping that I wasn't throwing another $12 down the drain. Turned out to be some of the best $12 I've spent recently.

This album is excellent. Obviously reminsicent of the DOTN sound, but I've found the lyrics to be a lot more intelligent, and I like Ferreira's voice better than Meeks's. The double-tracked harmonies with his voice are "astounding." I also must compliment the entire band, because these guys are real musicians-- they play with different effects and styles, (employing keyboards in some songs), while still keeping to a DOTN/Alice in Chains hard rock sound. My favorite tracks are "Breakdown," "I Don't Care," "Mourning," "Astounded," "All to Myself," and "Hate Me."

Overall, this entire album really shines. You'll be hard-presed to find any filler. If you enjoy the styles of DOTN and/or Alice in Chains, this is a must-have. Do yourself a favor and purchase this album. You won't regret it!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome....., February 16, 2001

By	Matt (Omaha, Ne.) - See all my reviews

Ok, let me just start by saying that I usually buy 2-3 CD's a week but so far this year nothing has really come out that has impressed me.....until now. The former members of Days of the New plus new singer Hugo have released the most awesome new rock record for a long time. It is amazing how much Hugo sounds like Travis Meeks and even better. Almost like Layne Staley in a way too.... He is backed by the extremely talented original Days of the New band and they pull off all 12 tracks on this album flawlessly-it rocks all the way through. Personal faves are "Mourning", "Astounded", "Hate Me", and of course "Breakdown." but like I said, every song is great. I also had the pleasure of seeing these guys live (opening for Dust For Life) a couple of weeks ago in Omaha and they blew Dust for Life off the stage. It was ... awesome so if they come to your town definatly check them out(It only cost me 6$ too!) So go out and get the CD and tell your friends too. This is the best album I have heard in a long time-it deserves 10 stars.

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Days of the Who?, February 14, 2001

By	Scott P (Sherwood, AR United States) - See all my reviews

When Travis Meeks, the volatile frontman for the platinum - selling band Days Of The New, fired his band in 1998, what seemed like an end for those who were let go (guitarist Todd Whitener, bassist Jesse Vest, drummer Matt Taul) turned into a new beginning. Add lead singer Hugo Ferreira and Tantric is the result.

It would be impossible to describe the sound of this band without the inevitable references to DOTN. They sound very much like the first DOTN CD, you remember... the good one. The vocals here even sound the same and the comparisons to Layne from Alice in Chains will also be made I'm sure. But this is almost a genre all to itself, sort of "acoustic hard rock" maybe. This isn't gloom and doom either, it's upbeat.

Strong points of the CD include the songs "Breakdown", "Mourning", and the amazing song "Astounded". But overall there really isn't much filler. These guys are obviously good songwriters with a knack for playing some catchy riffs and throwing in some good harmonies. I hope they catch on. Hard rock could really use some real musicians.