Artist: Tantric
Album: After We Go
Label: Maverick Records
Rating:
Reviewer: Kim Worpek

In the weeks leading up the release of Tantric's latest album 'After We Go', I was increasingly excited about getting a copy of the disc into my CD player. Their first single “Hey now,” an instant hit with its relentlessly catchy chorus that is impossible to listen to without soon discovering that you're singing along (whether you admit it or not), had been going through my head as I pulled into the parking lot of the post office in the small town I call home. Like a child on Christmas day, I fumbled frantically to unlock the post office box and peer inside. With a slight rush of adrenaline, I saw it. The CD had arrived and I quickly ripped off the packaging as I made my way down the street to my job. Here is what I found…

After crawling from the shadows of Days of the New and releasing a platinum debut album in 2001, many thought it would be difficult for Tantric to top their almost instant success with a follow-up album. With their latest effort 'After We Go' the self-proclaimed "country boys" whose biggest influences include Rush and Iron Maiden, did just that. Their first single “Hey Now” earned the attention of many old fans, as well as the attraction of many to whom Tantric had been nothing more than a familiar name that you heard once or twice on the radio. I personally was one of those people, falling immediately for Hugo Ferreira's unique and powerful vocal style mixed with the raw and heavy guitar riffs of Todd Whitener, rhythmic thundering bass of Jessie Vest, and the drumming talents of Matt Taul.

The album starts with a moderately fast and exciting guitar riff on “Chasing After,” that soon leads into Hugo Ferrierra’s unmistakable vocal presence. The album continues with its title track 'After We Go', and soon takes you on a journey through varying musical atmospheres, with songs about breakups, betrayal, friendships, and acceptance. Tantric displays a surprisingly well done mix of electric and acoustic tones, creating a very unique alternative rock sound, with the addition of Hugo's vocals that at times resemble such prominent vocalists as Scott Stapp of Creed, and Chad Kroeger of Nickleback.

One pleasant surprise on this disc is a cover of 'The Chain', which offers an interesting and impressive hard rock twist on Fleetwood Mac's more feminine and harmonious original. Tantric's lyrics are not laden with unnecessary profanity and blatant sexual remarks that far too often find their way into today’s music. They are intelligent, personal, and mature, perfectly accentuating their tasteful and complex, yet very addictive musical sound. The lyrics catch on quickly and you find yourself singing along effortlessly. With its unique and enjoyable sound, After We Go is definitely the album you can put on repeat without worrying about changing the disc at any point. The music will not bore you anytime soon.