Tangled Thoughts of Leaving
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Tangled Thoughts of Leaving

Perth, Western Australia, Australia | INDIE

Perth, Western Australia, Australia | INDIE
Band Rock Avant-garde

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Live Review - Dec 3 2009"

"Where to start with tonights headliners Tangled Thoughts of Leaving though?
Ridiculous, avante-garde, progressive, metally, lounge jazz... They seem to defy logical explanations each time heard. Pulling a large and very eager crowd from the far left of musical taste centres, tonights audience were not disappointed. How these guys remember and reproduce so tightly their set, whilst appearing to feel every note and not create a distance between their music and the audience, is beyond me. With an amazing band and possibly the best drummer in Perth, they are a band of paradoxes; heavy without relying on guitar, stupidly technical without being pretentious, challenging but not boring. They must be seen to be believed."

Drum Media Perth - by Luke Butcher - Drum Media Perth


"Tiny Fragments Review 7.5/10"

My first reaction to hearing this album was, “wow, this is some seriously funky shit right here.” My second reaction was “actually this is pretty awesome.” And my third reaction is…

It is a mind-blowing experience the first time you hear the sounds that West Australia’s Tangled Thoughts of Leaving have pulled together. Taking from many directions in the music world for their debut EP, the band has created a mass fusion of genre’s including Jazz, Metal and Post rock. The music created here is a look into the thoroughly unique minds of the band, made up of Aaron Pollard (Piano, Synth, and Vocals), Andrew McDonald (Guitar), James Hoey (Drums) and Luke Pollard (Bass, Samples).

With this EP, the band has taken a daring improvised approach to its recording. Walking into the studio with only a handful of ideas on where the recording would end up, they improvised the rest to finish with nearly 20 minutes of very interesting music – and I applaud them for taking such an approach to their music.

The bold contrast between droning distorted guitars and lounge room jazz passages throughout the EP is something, in hindsight, I never thought I would hear. It is also something that I never thought could work. However, it does, and it does magnificently. I’ve coined the term ‘Industrial Cruise Ship Jazz’ for this music, for this is the imagery I take from the music. It’s something both P&O Cruises and Tool would endorse, which really is a laughable suggestion, but the interchanging passages of music are such that this is possible! Extra credit for a hint of a Sigur Ros sample at the end of track 2!

Vocals are rarely used on the EP, though they do appear towards the end of the opening track in the form of harsher raspy styled vocals. This works effectively with the withdrawn chugging guitars and haunting samples.

In summary, Tangled Thoughts of Leaving offer an eclectic mix of genres forming a very diverse sound. So many people could find delight in this band’s music. 7.5/10

For fans of: Solefald, Isis, Explosions in the Sky, Opeth, Sigure Ros, sleepmakeswaves, Pelican, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, or any form of Jazz

7.5/10

http://metalobsession.net/tangled-thoughts-of-leaving-tiny-fragments-2008-review - MetalObsession.net


"Tiny Fragments Review 7.5/10"

My first reaction to hearing this album was, “wow, this is some seriously funky shit right here.” My second reaction was “actually this is pretty awesome.” And my third reaction is…

It is a mind-blowing experience the first time you hear the sounds that West Australia’s Tangled Thoughts of Leaving have pulled together. Taking from many directions in the music world for their debut EP, the band has created a mass fusion of genre’s including Jazz, Metal and Post rock. The music created here is a look into the thoroughly unique minds of the band, made up of Aaron Pollard (Piano, Synth, and Vocals), Andrew McDonald (Guitar), James Hoey (Drums) and Luke Pollard (Bass, Samples).

With this EP, the band has taken a daring improvised approach to its recording. Walking into the studio with only a handful of ideas on where the recording would end up, they improvised the rest to finish with nearly 20 minutes of very interesting music – and I applaud them for taking such an approach to their music.

The bold contrast between droning distorted guitars and lounge room jazz passages throughout the EP is something, in hindsight, I never thought I would hear. It is also something that I never thought could work. However, it does, and it does magnificently. I’ve coined the term ‘Industrial Cruise Ship Jazz’ for this music, for this is the imagery I take from the music. It’s something both P&O Cruises and Tool would endorse, which really is a laughable suggestion, but the interchanging passages of music are such that this is possible! Extra credit for a hint of a Sigur Ros sample at the end of track 2!

Vocals are rarely used on the EP, though they do appear towards the end of the opening track in the form of harsher raspy styled vocals. This works effectively with the withdrawn chugging guitars and haunting samples.

In summary, Tangled Thoughts of Leaving offer an eclectic mix of genres forming a very diverse sound. So many people could find delight in this band’s music. 7.5/10

For fans of: Solefald, Isis, Explosions in the Sky, Opeth, Sigure Ros, sleepmakeswaves, Pelican, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, or any form of Jazz

7.5/10

http://metalobsession.net/tangled-thoughts-of-leaving-tiny-fragments-2008-review - MetalObsession.net


"Tiny Fragments Review - 5 Stars"

Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving are a four-piece experimental group from Mandurah, whose members (Aaron Pollard on piano, synth, and vocals, Andrew McDonald on guitar, James Hoey on drums and Luke Pollard on bass and samples) one day had an interesting idea about recording a EP – create a rehearsal space, and allocate a set amount of time to piece together past musical ideas and themes with raw improvisation. The result is the aptly-named Tiny Fragments, a 20-minute, largely instrumental EP spanning jazz, drone, funk and progressive metal. These are mixes you would usually not encounter, but Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving somehow makes it work.



Tiny Fragments Part One sets the tone for the rest of the EP. It starts off with an aural assault of a jangling jazz piano, ragged rhythms and distorted guitar, with all instruments playing seemingly disparate parts, before diving into an extended jazz section. Towards the end, the song makes an unexpected u-turn into metal sections replete with screamed vocals. It sounds schizophrenic, yet somehow logical.



Tiny Fragments Part Two and Part Three are mellower, with Part Three being a great example of the band creating a sweeping soundscape using droning instruments and ambient background noise before building to a climatic wall of sound. The final track, The Banshee, brings the EP to a fitting close with an epic ten-minute journey into musical experimentation.

Overall, Tiny Fragments is a fascinating and bold release, full of unexpected twists and turns. Highly recommended for those who want to their listening experience challenged. *****

http://www.perthbands.com/displayReview.php?type=CD&reviewID=46 - perthbands.com


"Tiny Fragments Review - 5 Stars"

Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving are a four-piece experimental group from Mandurah, whose members (Aaron Pollard on piano, synth, and vocals, Andrew McDonald on guitar, James Hoey on drums and Luke Pollard on bass and samples) one day had an interesting idea about recording a EP – create a rehearsal space, and allocate a set amount of time to piece together past musical ideas and themes with raw improvisation. The result is the aptly-named Tiny Fragments, a 20-minute, largely instrumental EP spanning jazz, drone, funk and progressive metal. These are mixes you would usually not encounter, but Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving somehow makes it work.



Tiny Fragments Part One sets the tone for the rest of the EP. It starts off with an aural assault of a jangling jazz piano, ragged rhythms and distorted guitar, with all instruments playing seemingly disparate parts, before diving into an extended jazz section. Towards the end, the song makes an unexpected u-turn into metal sections replete with screamed vocals. It sounds schizophrenic, yet somehow logical.



Tiny Fragments Part Two and Part Three are mellower, with Part Three being a great example of the band creating a sweeping soundscape using droning instruments and ambient background noise before building to a climatic wall of sound. The final track, The Banshee, brings the EP to a fitting close with an epic ten-minute journey into musical experimentation.

Overall, Tiny Fragments is a fascinating and bold release, full of unexpected twists and turns. Highly recommended for those who want to their listening experience challenged. *****

http://www.perthbands.com/displayReview.php?type=CD&reviewID=46 - perthbands.com


"Split EP Review [2009]"

The track is one of the year’s best to date; this upstart group has just jumped the queue.

With this EP, Tangled Thoughts of Leaving has announced itself as a major player...


Full review: http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/2369/Default.aspx - The Silent Ballet [US]


"Split EP Review [2009]"

The track is one of the year’s best to date; this upstart group has just jumped the queue.

With this EP, Tangled Thoughts of Leaving has announced itself as a major player...


Full review: http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/2369/Default.aspx - The Silent Ballet [US]


"Split EP Review [2009] - 4 stars"

...what about Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving, whose Tiny Fragments EP put them on the map as perhaps the most exciting progressive sound in Australia (Alongside with the magnificent Bury The Sound)? While perhaps not as wild as their earlier material, Tangled’s latest shows off a band who’ve streamlined and claimed a sound entirely for themselves, one filled with spiraling piano arpeggios and jazz warped percussives, all thrown in into a mixing pot of dynamic song structures and a whole slew of intriguing instrumentation. If “A Vexing Predicament” puts on show band who can push the boundaries of mathy, piano orientated songwriting (similar perhaps, to Caverns without the metal influences), its the fifteen minute epic of “The World Is A Deaf Machine” that establishes Tangled Thoughts as without a doubt one of the most original and forward thinking bands around today. Building throughout its length with delicate touches of ivory and angular cymbal wrangling, it’s a lush, weaving composition that’ll sweep an unsuspecting listener right into the eye of a hurricane of harsh riffing and brazen complexity unlike any other. It’s an aural experience to behold, and up there with one of ‘09s most intriguing musical moments.


http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=30322 - Sputnik Music [US]


"Split EP Review [2009] - 4 stars"

...what about Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving, whose Tiny Fragments EP put them on the map as perhaps the most exciting progressive sound in Australia (Alongside with the magnificent Bury The Sound)? While perhaps not as wild as their earlier material, Tangled’s latest shows off a band who’ve streamlined and claimed a sound entirely for themselves, one filled with spiraling piano arpeggios and jazz warped percussives, all thrown in into a mixing pot of dynamic song structures and a whole slew of intriguing instrumentation. If “A Vexing Predicament” puts on show band who can push the boundaries of mathy, piano orientated songwriting (similar perhaps, to Caverns without the metal influences), its the fifteen minute epic of “The World Is A Deaf Machine” that establishes Tangled Thoughts as without a doubt one of the most original and forward thinking bands around today. Building throughout its length with delicate touches of ivory and angular cymbal wrangling, it’s a lush, weaving composition that’ll sweep an unsuspecting listener right into the eye of a hurricane of harsh riffing and brazen complexity unlike any other. It’s an aural experience to behold, and up there with one of ‘09s most intriguing musical moments.


http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=30322 - Sputnik Music [US]


"Tiny Fragments Review"

Tiny Fragments starts with a disorienting jumble of piano, drums and bass; impressive for its virtuosity but almost impossible to get any sort of handle on. It seems, based on the scant evidence presented during this disc’s opening minute, that Tangled Thoughts of Leaving are going to spend the next four songs aurally masturbating. Slowly, however, a sense of structure begins to emerge from the chaos, and the uniqueness of this Perth quartet’s take on math/prog/spazz-metal becomes clear.

Aaron Pollard’s piano is the undoubted focal point, with his – at times – Helfgott-esque fingerwork redefining the instrument’s position in the world of metal. Where most bands would let it slip into the background during more intense moments, Pollard stands his ground.

Drummer James Hoey’s manic-yet-precise playing proves the perfect match for Pollard’s virtuosity; the two seem locked in a constant battle for supremacy, the end result of which is a finely-balanced harmony. Without wanting to disparage their contributions, bassist Luke Pollard and guitarist Andrew McDonald do end up playing second fiddle to their bandmates. Vocals are used sparingly – their singular appearance comes at the moment when ‘Tiny Fragments Part One’ drops suddenly from sludgy slo-mo. The brief segment carries with it the kind of gravitas Cult of Luna took three albums to perfect, and is all the more effective for not being one of half a dozen similar stylistic shifts.

Several years spent confining their sounds to the rehearsal room has given Tangled Thoughts of Leaving time to learn the vital skill of juggling structure, melody, virtuosity and visceral intensity without succumbing to sterility. Even the most jarring passages on Tiny Fragments display the fluidity that constantly eludes so many similarly-styled bands.

Although the epic, three-part title track takes up 18 of this EP’s 28 minutes and the equally epic ‘The Banshee’ constitutes the other 10, Tiny Fragments should not be misconstrued not an exercise in bloated prog excess; the band’s intricate arrangements, attention to detail and impeccable musicianship has ensured that there’s not a single wasted note on this disc.

by Adam D Mills

http://www.messandnoise.com/releases/2000123 - messandnoise.com


"Tiny Fragments Review"

Tiny Fragments starts with a disorienting jumble of piano, drums and bass; impressive for its virtuosity but almost impossible to get any sort of handle on. It seems, based on the scant evidence presented during this disc’s opening minute, that Tangled Thoughts of Leaving are going to spend the next four songs aurally masturbating. Slowly, however, a sense of structure begins to emerge from the chaos, and the uniqueness of this Perth quartet’s take on math/prog/spazz-metal becomes clear.

Aaron Pollard’s piano is the undoubted focal point, with his – at times – Helfgott-esque fingerwork redefining the instrument’s position in the world of metal. Where most bands would let it slip into the background during more intense moments, Pollard stands his ground.

Drummer James Hoey’s manic-yet-precise playing proves the perfect match for Pollard’s virtuosity; the two seem locked in a constant battle for supremacy, the end result of which is a finely-balanced harmony. Without wanting to disparage their contributions, bassist Luke Pollard and guitarist Andrew McDonald do end up playing second fiddle to their bandmates. Vocals are used sparingly – their singular appearance comes at the moment when ‘Tiny Fragments Part One’ drops suddenly from sludgy slo-mo. The brief segment carries with it the kind of gravitas Cult of Luna took three albums to perfect, and is all the more effective for not being one of half a dozen similar stylistic shifts.

Several years spent confining their sounds to the rehearsal room has given Tangled Thoughts of Leaving time to learn the vital skill of juggling structure, melody, virtuosity and visceral intensity without succumbing to sterility. Even the most jarring passages on Tiny Fragments display the fluidity that constantly eludes so many similarly-styled bands.

Although the epic, three-part title track takes up 18 of this EP’s 28 minutes and the equally epic ‘The Banshee’ constitutes the other 10, Tiny Fragments should not be misconstrued not an exercise in bloated prog excess; the band’s intricate arrangements, attention to detail and impeccable musicianship has ensured that there’s not a single wasted note on this disc.

by Adam D Mills

http://www.messandnoise.com/releases/2000123 - messandnoise.com


"Tiny Fragments review - 8/10"

Evolving out of jam sessions and Tiny Fragments of music, comes what I believe will become an important local progressive release.
Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving bring to the fold here an EP that according to the band sprung up out of a series of jams and random ideas that were brought to the table. It went on to grow and evolve and was written and recorded in the studio over a period of time.

The title track of the EP, "Tiny Fragments" plays out over three parts and travels through so many different styles and moods that it would almost do it an injustice to over analyse and talk about it. Born from improvisation and free flowing creativity it is quite an organic track that builds and falls and twists and turns through moments of pure progressive fusion, Frank Zappa-esque passages and huge post-rock build ups that rise towards a really huge and boiling ending.

While I don't want to over talk the title track in terms of picking apart every influence or genre that it travels through, I will make mention that the production on the EP is awesome. I guess a benefit of writing in the studio is that you're tracking from the get go, so you can put down songs as they come about, exactly as you want them. It was produced by Aaron Pollard who also provides [awesome] piano, synths, vocals and acoustic guitar for the band.

The EP also includes the closer "The Banshee" which is a 10 minute track that while having the same sort of vibe as "Tiny Fragments" doesn't invoke the same sort of emotions in me as a listener. While still a great track with an immense outro I think the musical journey of "Tiny Fragments" is much more memorable and vast in scope. It's not a track to be skipped or dismissed, however after the grandiose musical sojourn of "Tiny Fragments" I think maybe "The Banshee" could have been a better opener for the EP, leading into the title track.

I would love to see how the tracks of this EP come across in a live setting as I would assume they would need to use a great deal of sampling, but also to see the musicianship that the band would need to pull off some of the flurries of changes in style and timing would be quite a sight to see. I can imagine it'd be quite the flooring experience.

The band's MySpace page says "they would rather risk potential failure than never pursue the invention of interesting art" which I think will serve these guys really well. Being able to take that risk to put out the music that you want to, and not pandering to genre boundaries I think will always help a progressive band in keeping things fresh and interesting.

What this Western Australian four-piece has done with this recording is to capture a great sense of fusion in ideas and execution that comes together really well. They've created an EP that takes metal, funk, jazz, post rock, prog rock/metal, moments of electronica and mixes it all up in a way that really finds each part complimenting the next and doesn't leave any styles or influences grating against each other.

I can't wait to see what this band do with a full length album of material, as I have no doubts that it will be something very special.

http://www.ozprog.com/reviews/music/view/49 - OzProg.com


"Tiny Fragments review - 8/10"

Evolving out of jam sessions and Tiny Fragments of music, comes what I believe will become an important local progressive release.
Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving bring to the fold here an EP that according to the band sprung up out of a series of jams and random ideas that were brought to the table. It went on to grow and evolve and was written and recorded in the studio over a period of time.

The title track of the EP, "Tiny Fragments" plays out over three parts and travels through so many different styles and moods that it would almost do it an injustice to over analyse and talk about it. Born from improvisation and free flowing creativity it is quite an organic track that builds and falls and twists and turns through moments of pure progressive fusion, Frank Zappa-esque passages and huge post-rock build ups that rise towards a really huge and boiling ending.

While I don't want to over talk the title track in terms of picking apart every influence or genre that it travels through, I will make mention that the production on the EP is awesome. I guess a benefit of writing in the studio is that you're tracking from the get go, so you can put down songs as they come about, exactly as you want them. It was produced by Aaron Pollard who also provides [awesome] piano, synths, vocals and acoustic guitar for the band.

The EP also includes the closer "The Banshee" which is a 10 minute track that while having the same sort of vibe as "Tiny Fragments" doesn't invoke the same sort of emotions in me as a listener. While still a great track with an immense outro I think the musical journey of "Tiny Fragments" is much more memorable and vast in scope. It's not a track to be skipped or dismissed, however after the grandiose musical sojourn of "Tiny Fragments" I think maybe "The Banshee" could have been a better opener for the EP, leading into the title track.

I would love to see how the tracks of this EP come across in a live setting as I would assume they would need to use a great deal of sampling, but also to see the musicianship that the band would need to pull off some of the flurries of changes in style and timing would be quite a sight to see. I can imagine it'd be quite the flooring experience.

The band's MySpace page says "they would rather risk potential failure than never pursue the invention of interesting art" which I think will serve these guys really well. Being able to take that risk to put out the music that you want to, and not pandering to genre boundaries I think will always help a progressive band in keeping things fresh and interesting.

What this Western Australian four-piece has done with this recording is to capture a great sense of fusion in ideas and execution that comes together really well. They've created an EP that takes metal, funk, jazz, post rock, prog rock/metal, moments of electronica and mixes it all up in a way that really finds each part complimenting the next and doesn't leave any styles or influences grating against each other.

I can't wait to see what this band do with a full length album of material, as I have no doubts that it will be something very special.

http://www.ozprog.com/reviews/music/view/49 - OzProg.com


"Live Review - August 25 2008"

Next up were Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving, whose EP Tiny Fragments—which the band played in full in the course of their set—has previously been reviewed on OzProg. In the interest of disclosure, just let me say right now that I am an absolute mark for Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving, and I find it very hard to describe the experience of seeing this band without lapsing into histrionics and those "this-band meets this band on acid!" comparisons commonly found in the average amateur music review, so apologies in advance.

As good as Tiny Fragments is, the spectacle and power of seeing the band play live is another beast altogether. It may be a terribly overused word when it comes to describing progressive music, but on Friday the 25th of August 2008, Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving delivered a truly majestic performance.

Opening with the eighteen-minute title track from their EP, which bursts out of the gates in syncopated odd-time fits and starts before dissolving into laid-back piano figures punctured by bursts of noise similar to the involuntary spasms of a Tourette's sufferer, and eventually running the full gamut of prog, metal, jazz, lounge, noise-rock, math-rock, post-rock—They're like Don Caballero decapitating Explosions In The Sky with a John Zorn record! 80's cop show theme songs as performed by The Dillinger Escape Plan!... ahem, pardon me—and probably several other genres I wasn't aware existed over the course of its three parts.

The saving grace of Tangled Thought's fruit-salad approach to song structure is the establishment of several recognisable melodies and themes in their music which are returned to throughout, as well as what seems like an innate knowledge of when a certain tangent has run it's course, thus avoiding listener fatigue. The song's third part in particularly evolves from a sensitive mini-ballad, crescendoing—Between The Buried And Me-like—into another syncopated odd-time section, this time delivered in blunt-force shots of guitar, drums and dissonant piano, and dissolving suddenly and unexpectedly.

The finale of "Tiny Fragments" is one of those live musical moments where in the aftermath, you realise that you've forgotten to breathe through the entire thing. It is a rare group that can evoke moments of heartbreaking poignancy, overwhelming grandeur, and jaw-dropping virtuosity, but Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving do, and in 9/16 at that.

http://www.ozprog.com/reviews/events/view/15 - OzProg.com


"Live Review - August 25 2008"

Next up were Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving, whose EP Tiny Fragments—which the band played in full in the course of their set—has previously been reviewed on OzProg. In the interest of disclosure, just let me say right now that I am an absolute mark for Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving, and I find it very hard to describe the experience of seeing this band without lapsing into histrionics and those "this-band meets this band on acid!" comparisons commonly found in the average amateur music review, so apologies in advance.

As good as Tiny Fragments is, the spectacle and power of seeing the band play live is another beast altogether. It may be a terribly overused word when it comes to describing progressive music, but on Friday the 25th of August 2008, Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving delivered a truly majestic performance.

Opening with the eighteen-minute title track from their EP, which bursts out of the gates in syncopated odd-time fits and starts before dissolving into laid-back piano figures punctured by bursts of noise similar to the involuntary spasms of a Tourette's sufferer, and eventually running the full gamut of prog, metal, jazz, lounge, noise-rock, math-rock, post-rock—They're like Don Caballero decapitating Explosions In The Sky with a John Zorn record! 80's cop show theme songs as performed by The Dillinger Escape Plan!... ahem, pardon me—and probably several other genres I wasn't aware existed over the course of its three parts.

The saving grace of Tangled Thought's fruit-salad approach to song structure is the establishment of several recognisable melodies and themes in their music which are returned to throughout, as well as what seems like an innate knowledge of when a certain tangent has run it's course, thus avoiding listener fatigue. The song's third part in particularly evolves from a sensitive mini-ballad, crescendoing—Between The Buried And Me-like—into another syncopated odd-time section, this time delivered in blunt-force shots of guitar, drums and dissonant piano, and dissolving suddenly and unexpectedly.

The finale of "Tiny Fragments" is one of those live musical moments where in the aftermath, you realise that you've forgotten to breathe through the entire thing. It is a rare group that can evoke moments of heartbreaking poignancy, overwhelming grandeur, and jaw-dropping virtuosity, but Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving do, and in 9/16 at that.

http://www.ozprog.com/reviews/events/view/15 - OzProg.com


"Live Review - November 14 2008"

Upon hearing the first few strains of Tangled Thoughts of Leaving, there was an influx of people from The Bakery beer garden to the front of the stage; not surprising considering the caliber of TTOL’s live shows. Their set was so intense, and the lighting effectively dim, that it all felt spine-tinglingly apocalyptic.

Predominantly driven by brilliantly erratic keyboard playing that also manages to open the songs right up with washes of melody, along with vocals that are kept to a bare minimum, the band played a series of what felt like soundscapes rather than songs. Their rhythm section has an innate sense of when to hold back and when to go completely bonkers, doing so in a refined and structurally tight way, and the band members themselves go nuts during the particularly thunderous passages – all in all they could have played for another hour easily and still held the crowd’s attention.

Perri Bastian - Xpress Magazine


"Live Review - November 14 2008"

Upon hearing the first few strains of Tangled Thoughts of Leaving, there was an influx of people from The Bakery beer garden to the front of the stage; not surprising considering the caliber of TTOL’s live shows. Their set was so intense, and the lighting effectively dim, that it all felt spine-tinglingly apocalyptic.

Predominantly driven by brilliantly erratic keyboard playing that also manages to open the songs right up with washes of melody, along with vocals that are kept to a bare minimum, the band played a series of what felt like soundscapes rather than songs. Their rhythm section has an innate sense of when to hold back and when to go completely bonkers, doing so in a refined and structurally tight way, and the band members themselves go nuts during the particularly thunderous passages – all in all they could have played for another hour easily and still held the crowd’s attention.

Perri Bastian - Xpress Magazine


"Tiny Fragments Review"

It’s weird, but for music that is so predominantly piano-based, Tangled Thoughts of Leaving’s latest EP feels heavy as fuck.

For sure, it has almost-metal drum and guitar sounds in the mix, but they’re never allowed to overpower the ivories, nor are they played or structured in such away as to feel metal… more so, as it is with the likes of John Zorn and Trevor Dunn, Tangled Thoughts of Leaving’s heaviness comes from the near relentless barrage of machine gun-like syncopation, staccato madness, and general ‘what the fuck’-ness.

It’s jazz, no two ways about it, but it’s jazz fit for a nervous breakdown – either as the cause or the symptom. Think of it, then, as an entirely fluid, keys-based equivalent of someone like Dillinger Escape Plan – as played by chaps who hit the books, rather than the ‘roids.
Brains and balls never clash here, even in Tangled Thoughts of Leaving’s most schizophrenic momebts, and although the occasional addition of vocals adds more confusion, as an instrumental band this one seldom loses its footing. Sure, it takes many listens to get your head around the mathematics involved in Tiny Fragments, but that just gives the EP a longer lifespan.
If you’re a fan of just about anything Mike Patton, John Zorn, Isis, Trevor Dunn, or the nation of Japan have put out, you’ll probably get a boner (or she-boner) for this unusual-yet-familiar-sounding band.

Mike Wafer
- Xpress Magazine - Issue 1131


"Tiny Fragments Review"

It’s weird, but for music that is so predominantly piano-based, Tangled Thoughts of Leaving’s latest EP feels heavy as fuck.

For sure, it has almost-metal drum and guitar sounds in the mix, but they’re never allowed to overpower the ivories, nor are they played or structured in such away as to feel metal… more so, as it is with the likes of John Zorn and Trevor Dunn, Tangled Thoughts of Leaving’s heaviness comes from the near relentless barrage of machine gun-like syncopation, staccato madness, and general ‘what the fuck’-ness.

It’s jazz, no two ways about it, but it’s jazz fit for a nervous breakdown – either as the cause or the symptom. Think of it, then, as an entirely fluid, keys-based equivalent of someone like Dillinger Escape Plan – as played by chaps who hit the books, rather than the ‘roids.
Brains and balls never clash here, even in Tangled Thoughts of Leaving’s most schizophrenic momebts, and although the occasional addition of vocals adds more confusion, as an instrumental band this one seldom loses its footing. Sure, it takes many listens to get your head around the mathematics involved in Tiny Fragments, but that just gives the EP a longer lifespan.
If you’re a fan of just about anything Mike Patton, John Zorn, Isis, Trevor Dunn, or the nation of Japan have put out, you’ll probably get a boner (or she-boner) for this unusual-yet-familiar-sounding band.

Mike Wafer
- Xpress Magazine - Issue 1131


Discography

Deaden the Fields - [July 2011]
Split EP with sleepmakeswaves [2009]
Tiny Fragments EP [2008]

Photos

Bio

Tangled Thoughts of Leavings music demands attention. Whether its through a live performance or a recording,
the music demands that the listener devote their undivided consciousness to the experience. Vocals are scarce -
but this is not background music. By way of a piano-led amalgamation of prog, post-rock, jazz, noise, metal and
classical film soundtracks, TToL have crafted their own sound: sometimes intensely heavy, relentless and epic;
at other times fragile and intricate.

TToL emerged from the shadows of the Australian live scene with the release of their 2008 EP,
Tiny Fragments and 2009 split EP with Sydneys sleepmakeswaves. While their EPs attracted attention from
reviewers and punters alike, its as an intense and fiercely engaging live act that TToL have built their reputation
in Australia. Through dozens of local headline shows, and supporting touring acts such as Australian prog
heavywieghts Karnivool and Canadian doom lords Nadja, TToL have demanded attention and amassed
a loyal following.

Tangled Thoughts of Leaving spent the first three months of 2011 recording their debut album, Deaden the Fields.
Recorded by the bands own Ron Pollard and mastered by Swedish legend Pelle Henricsson (Cult of Luna,
Refused, Poison the Well), Deaden the Fields is as emotive as it is technical; as melodic as it is abrasive.
Led by classical-inspired piano playing and incredible technical drumming, Deaden the Fields is piece of art
dripping with intensity, emotion and attention to detail. 62 minutes of progressive music across six tracks; it
demands commitment from the listener and will command an emotional response.

Tangled Thoughts of Leaving released Deaden the Fields in Australia through Firestarter Distribution - and online through BandCamp and iTunes - on
July 8 2011, followed by an Australian tour in September 2011.

Band Members