Tahiti 80 - The Past, The Present and the Possible
You know you have something special when nearly two decades after you got your first taste of the music industry you still have the energy, enthusiasm and passion to continue; with the added bonus that there are still millions of individuals screaming for more of your music to be released. Tahiti 80 is one such band. They have now become a six piece with additions of long time touring members Julien Barbagallo and Raphael Leger.
"The Past, The Present and the Possible" is the French indie pop bands fifth studio album. Although not to everyone's tastes, there is something particularly catchy about the musical contribution that Tahiti 80 offers the music industry. They have their own unique combination of indie pop and some electronica touches at times. Although through the majority of the album this unique combination works, there are times where it gets a little tougher to enjoy. Take the opener 'Defender' for example where the combination of guitar riffs combined with some electronic beats progresses to a sound that is more like a crash of two sides colliding than musical aspects working in partnership with one and other. Besides this the other tunes are fairly straightforward, smooth moving with a really good balance between the musical elements.
Vocally there doesn't appear to be much emotion placed into projecting the lyrical content of the songs, however this does increase as the album continues. The vocals are consistently gentle, too much so at times. When the music gets more upbeat and could actually be something really movable and enjoyable, the vocal lacks excitement and brings the mood and enjoyment levels down a tad. On the softer tunes, such as the summer breeze emitted by 'Easy' the smooth rhythm and gentle taps of keys make the vocal a little less dreary and the harmonising in particular is very good. It is at moments such as these and 'Want Some?' where the harmonies are kicked up a notch and they work alongside the more predominate vocal well.
The majority of new musicians entering the industry today have the concern of finding their slot in the ever-growing musical abyss, do they sound different to the another acts out there, can they thrive where so many acts before them have failed and do they have the longevity to make it as an established act. Tahiti 80 certainly doesn't have this worry where their new release is concerned.