CRONICA DEL DISCO "BURNING IN THE SHADE" DE TYGERS OF PAN TANG

While browsing through my LP collection, I decided to write a review of a forgotten album by a band that perhaps didn't receive the recognition it deserved. "Burning in the Shade" represents a more commercial shift in the career of Tygers of Pan Tang, closely following the standards of the time (in this case, well into the 1980s). It's a work that incorporates subtle influences from the "prog" sound of the era, without explicitly being progressive rock, but rather imbued with the AOR (Adult Oriented Rock) flavor that was beginning to take shape back then. But the singing style on the album could fit Prog. standards.

It stands out for that melodic care so characteristic of the 80s: a certain epic tone, melodies seeking to convey a dreamlike feeling, inspiring keyboards... Tygers of Pan Tang has gone through various stages —as often happens with classic bands that have been playing until recently— and this album, Burning in the Shade, it's fare to the late 70s sound with which they began (for example, their magnificient track "Euthanasia"). Nor is it comparable to some of their more recent albums that I've had the opportunity to listen (see the great "Ambush," released in 2012, 14 years ago, however).

In terms of guitars, they capture the essence of AOR, which bands like FM -with their legendary "Indiscreet,"- explore, although this album is closer to true Hard Rock than the aforementioned one. However, it moves away from the heaviness that often characterizes this style in general.

The album features moments that are not without epic grandeur and a certain sense of euphoria, interspersed with vocal choruses. They also employ that characteristic "delay" sound of the time, reminiscent of the early MIDI era.

It's easy to listen to and not at all tiresome: the advantage of being commercial back then—though without intending to belittle what can generally be achieved at that level today.- Although the production is dated, it still retains an original flavor.
The standout track on the album, in my opinion, is "Dream Ticket," and there are others that are equally good.

Fans of the 80s sound will surely not be disappointed by this album, relegated to oblivion, although it may not be considered the best album in Tygers of Pan Tang's career. However, I find something special about it, and it instills in me a certain feeling of "sweet nostalgia" that inspires me, inviting me to remember my childhood.

It's important to highlight that Tygers of Pan Tang, despite their age, are still playing today—which is very commendable—following the path of rock, as could be expected of so many contemporary classics. I don't understand how, from the NWOBHM era until now, they haven't had much more mainstream success. Who knows, maybe they were the first to decide they didn't want to grow any further...or maybe not.