Given that Tiles’ latest release has almost exactly the same title and cover as its 2012 predecessor Off The Floor, this one almost slipped past us here at Prog.
Good job we caught it, as their live celebration of 20 years in the game is worth catching. The first of these two discs is a live retrospective of the Detroit band’s career wherein they revisit ten highlights from their catalogue, including tunes from their 1994 self-titled debut (Analysis Paralysis, Dancing Dogs), ’97’s Fence The Clear (Patterns, Cactus Valley) and 2004’s Window Dressing (Remember To Forget).Recording these live (or ‘off the floor’) on a soundstage, Tiles play with real fire, as if they’re out to prove to themselves just why they’ve stuck around. Their Rush influence is loud and clear, in part due to a mix by Rush’s long-standing producer Terry Brown. The second, bonus disc captures their turn at RoSfest in 2005. A slightly muddier off-the-desk mix here, but there’s no denying their energy as they plough through Facing Failure, Ballad Of The Sacred Cows, Paintings and Window Dressing to a clearly impressed crowd. A fitting testament to this enduring band’s character and quality.
