Some things in life just seem to impact
you in such in enveloping way that you take to them instantly
and make them part of your life.
This happened to me when I saw Tinlin
recently perform, as the opening act for Paul Carrack
(who we also review in this edition) I was so taken with the
performance that I decided to contact them with a view to
reviewing there new CD “Instant Pleasure”
Tinlin, are formed by siblings
Alex and Rolf, both partners in the songwriting engine room
of this duo whose core values relate to the production of
well crafted and music that comes from the heart.
Their style is constantly
in motion, in order to try and make the listener feel the
emotion in their songs, which range from raw acoustic numbers
to bigger productions featuring a full band.
Moving onto the music, one week later
the CD arrived, which I proceeded to listen to with great
anticipation.
Tinlin’s harmonies emanated from my
speakers; with there ever present close and rich harmonies
together with simple but yet infectious melodies. It’s quite
amazing how two vocals, an acoustic guitar and mandolin can
fill so much sonic space, although as with interior design
sometimes it’s the purposefully left space which makes the
room look elegant and uncluttered.
Standout tracks for me are “Lines” with swinging rhythm guitar,
folk mandolin and strident vocals. “Red Wine State of Mind”
with its funky electric piano riff and clever train announcer
vocal effect, also has a great grove going.
The acoustic songs however such as
“Soldier Boy” and “Restless Soul” with its laid
back melancholy feel set a totally different atmosphere and
seem to be the staple diet on which the successful Tinlin
formula is based.
The whole CD has a very good flow and
can be listened to start to end as the variety of songs and
styles keep the listener intrigued and interested throughout.
As put by Tinlin themselves
the songs transmit emotion and feeling and take the listener
through different states of mind.
One
song though which sounded a bit out of place however is “Never
Let You Lie” although a great song (In fact one of my
favourites during the concert) I can’t help but feel the
production here was rushed or perhaps was done on purposefully
for effect?
I did actually speak to Alex from Tinlin
and he mentioned that the track was one of the few band
numbers on the album and that they were unsure on how to approach
it; however the new live album will contain the acoustic version
same as they perform during concerts.
It will certainly be interesting to
hear the new acoustic version as soon as the new live album
is released shortly, which we hope to review as well.
All in all a great collection of songs
brimming with originality and style.
By Ernest H Slade
Thanks to Tinlin for the review CD
and Information.
"Never
Let You Lie" at St.Albans Live - Courtesy of Tinlin
