Like A Tiger - "Music for Plants and Animals"

LIKE A TIGER - “MUSIC FOR PLANTS AND ANIMALS”

Self-released - 05.15.20.

Like a Tiger’s sophomore album, released May 15, 2020, is a magical looping dreamworld of sound. Drawing on influences of rock, jazz, and electronic music, “Music for Plants and Animals” truly has something for everyone, despite its title. With beautiful and intriguing cover artwork by Caleb Berciunas, the album features Pete Marten (guitar), John O’Keefe (bass), Nik Douglas (drums), and an arguable fourth member, THE LOOPS.

Like a Tiger’s impressive use of effects and live loops marks this band as a notable talent in the KC DIY scene. All tracks are instrumental, and rightfully so; they don’t need lyrics or vocal melodies. I’ve listened to “Rosie,” my favorite track, at least twenty times since its release. The reverb and tremolo are unparalleled, and the song moves forward at the perfect tempo.

The band recently released a music video for the album’s second track, “Identities Borrowed,” directed by Mikala Petillo (Miki P and the Swallowtails), showcasing local landmarks and musician-friends. Similar to their debut album “Home Movies,” released in January 2019, Like a Tiger upholds their reputation of accessible “math rock” without being overzealous. Each member presents incredibly skilled musicianship without being show-offy. I love their “cool nerd” post-modern prog rock attitude. It’s evident Ross Brown (Shy Boys, Fullbloods) and Mike Nolte had something to do with the engineering and mastering of this great record.

I enjoy “Go Flight Astronaut,” for its calm, intrepid bass line, onpoint cymbal crashes, and steady crescendo. It’s reminiscent of an actual space launch and leaves me hopeful and starry eyed. I also dig the exciting hi-hat work and polyrhythms in “Frontier,” lead guitar melody in “Strong Medicine,” and especially the dreamy looping mechanisms of “My Battery is Low.” The dynamics and counterpoint of the entire album is superb. Every track embodies positive, uplifting vibes. Like a Tiger is a ray of sunshine in a politically dark time.

I can easily listen to this album---beginning to end---and be fully engaged by every note. I can also easily listen to this album and do anything: read in a hammock, exercise outside, clean the house, protest in the streets against white supremacy, you name it. Like a Tiger’s use of odd time signatures and simple textures yet complex timbres puts them at the top of my listening list in 2020.

Review by :: Alison Hawkins

Manor Blog Contributor, Kickball Captain, & member of True Lions.

Manor Records gives 100% of article author rights to Alison Hawkins.