3.5/5 stars
Describing themselves as an “experimental tango band”, Sydney-based combo The Tango Saloon cheerfully combine elements from a variety of genres such as tango, dark indie rock and jazz on their fourth album, Suspicion.
With an arresting CD cover that looks like an eye-catching movie poster, Suspicion proves to be suitably filmic in scope and atmosphere. Like the best movies, the album features plenty of twists and turns, such as the unexpected, yet strategically positioned explosion of impassioned lead guitar that ignites the enigmatic title track. Lead singer Elana Stone brings great drama to the haunting and quietly intense ‘Shadow Of A Dead Man’,which manages to sound epic and decidedly widescreen despite its brevity.
One of the many highlights of this addictive album is the sheer richness and breadth of the music. There’s something deeply satisfying about immersing yourself in a sonic journey that encompasses guitar, synths, organ, viola, trumpet, castanets, alto sax, trombone, drums, accordion, bass, vibraslap, tambourine, vibraphone, piano, tuba, shaker, triangle, congas and (would you believe) tubular bell.
It’s ambition on a Hollywood scale, and it works.
SuspicionbyThe Tango Saloonis out on Romero Records.
