Tygers of Pan Tang - Majors and Minors
Album review by; Mike
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Compilation albums... Greatest Hits... best of albums...
All the songs you ever needed from the band you love in one place.
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A curated ensemble of tracks that define the past, present and most likely future direction of said band.
But in today's world of recorded music is it necessary?
For example, Spotify and YouTube are full of wannabe A&R guys who will happily offer up their own quintessential playlist for their most beloved artists. Cherry picking the tracks that you need to know and have to listen to now!
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Is the concept of the compilation album dead?
Probably, yes... Especially if it's conceived by the suits and put together by committee.
However, in some instances the band or artist shoulders the responsibility for the retrospective.
A Tyger will Growl!
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The first time I heard of the 'Tygers' was during a documentary on Metallica.
James Hetfield was looking for band mates in the same place as almost every other aspiring Los Angeles musician did in the pages of' The Recycler'. In late April, one particular ad caught his eye: “Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with," it read influences, "Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden.”
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Iron Maiden, the t-shirts alone makes them a worldwide institution.
Diamond Head! 'Am I Evil’ even if you're not a fan a passing interest would place them in the top ten of best metal songs ever!
But the reference to the 'Tygers' left me cold Where's Pan Tang?
Curiosity being what it was and this being the days when the aforementioned Spotify and YouTube, were still a few years out, I clicked on Amazon to deliver the CD equivalent of a tasting menu for all things Pan Tang 'On the Prowl' a budget priced compilation with the finest recordings from the John Sykes era prior to his stints in, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake and Blue Murder.
Including the singles 'Hellbound, Love Potion No 9, Rendezvous and Paris By Air'.
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All good stuff!
But that was then and this is now.
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And on 28th May 2021 the 'Tygers' will release 'Majors and Minors' a retrospective of their legacy spanning the last 13 years.
Band stalwart, guitarist Robb Weir says it's not just a “Best of” compilation because the band wanted to offer something special to both loyal fans, collectors and those who have missed our latest records. “It’s like your best Tygers tracks, but all in one place!“
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And to a greater extent it's a testament to the genius that was the late and great producer extraordinaire, Chris Tsangarides whose contributions are undeniable over the last four studio albums to feature lead singer Jacopo (Jack) Meille.
Rock / Metal as with all genres can be formulaic and with the sixteen tracks on the album the clichés are apparent. However, it highlights just how good Tygers are!
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They've got the heavy riffs, thunderous melodies and catchy hooks aplenty, so much so that you wonder why they haven't garnered a greater audience to rival their contemporaries as for want of a better word, their songs are quite infectious. No need for a vaccination!
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If you are a fan of the band and if you've already got the last four albums the only surprises offered by 'Major and Minors' will be the tracks, 'What You Say' and 'Plug Me in' and an orchestral mix of 'Spoils of War' with the vinyl offering featuring a 2018 live recording of 'Keeping Me Alive’ so this release is definitely for those who are playing catch up with their Tygers discography and the uber fans.
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The artwork looks awesome and I'm sure the physical releases will look fabulous on one's bookshelf and it is indeed a beefy package for the line-up that has been going longer than the original ever did!
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