The Tangent are one of the most distinctive and intelligent bands in modern progressive rock — a British-led group whose witty, keyboard-rich music has, since 2003, kept the spirit of classic prog alive while saying something genuinely contemporary. Founded and steered by keyboardist and songwriter Andy Tillison, they blend the grandeur of 1970s symphonic prog with the jazzy wit of the Canterbury Scene and Tillison’s sharp, engaged lyrics. Few modern bands are as clever, as eclectic, or as quietly subversive.

The short version

Formed in 2003 and led by keyboardist Andy Tillison, The Tangent play witty, keyboard-rich modern prog — eclectic, ambitious music that fuses classic symphonic prog, the Canterbury Scene and jazz-rock with intelligent, often political lyrics. Across the ten albums gathered here, from “The Music That Died Alone” (2003) to “To Follow Polaris” (2024), they have become one of modern prog’s most respected and prolific names. Theirs is some of the cleverest, most characterful music in the genre.

A prog supergroup

The Tangent began in 2002 as a one-off project by keyboardist and singer Andy Tillison of Parallel or 90 Degrees — originally intended as a solo album. When demos reached The Flower Kings’ Roine Stolt, he offered to play guitar, bringing in his bandmates Jonas Reingold and Zoltan Csörsz; Tillison added multi-instrumentalist Guy Manning, keyboardist Sam Baine and, on saxophone, Van der Graaf Generator’s David Jackson. The result, “The Music That Died Alone” (2003), was released not as a solo record but under the name The Tangent, and became an instant modern prog classic. Though the project grew into a full band, Tillison has remained its one constant, leading a rotating cast ever since.

Witty and keyboard-rich

The Tangent’s music is rich, eclectic and unmistakably intelligent. Built on Andy Tillison’s vintage Hammond organ and synths, their long, ambitious pieces draw on the grandeur of 1970s symphonic prog and, just as deeply, on the jazzy, distinctly English wit of the Canterbury Scene, with touches of jazz fusion, funk and electronica. What truly sets them apart, though, is Tillison’s writing — witty, conversational and often pointedly political, casting a sharp eye over modern life. Clever, melodic and full of character, theirs is modern prog with a brain and a heart.

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From The Music That Died Alone to To Follow Polaris

The ten albums gathered here span The Tangent’s long career. The acclaimed debut “The Music That Died Alone” (2003) and its successor “The World That We Drive Through” (2004) — which introduced saxophonist Theo Travis — wore their Flower Kings connections proudly, before “A Place in the Queue” (2006) marked a fresh start. The ambitious, orchestral “Le Sacre du Travail” (2013), the roots-honouring “A Spark in the Aether” (2015) and the acclaimed, politically charged “The Slow Rust of Forgotten Machinery” (2017) followed, along with “Proxy” (2018), “Auto Reconnaissance” (2020), “Songs from the Hard Shoulder” (2022) and “To Follow Polaris” (2024) — part of an even larger catalogue.

Album by album

Ten albums of witty, keyboard-rich modern prog. Tap any title for its guide.

The players

The Tangent are, above all, the work of Andy Tillison — keyboardist, singer, composer and the band’s one constant member. Around him, a settled recent line-up has featured bassist Jonas Reingold (of The Flower Kings and the Steve Hackett Band), saxophonist and flautist Theo Travis (of Soft Machine), guitarist Luke Machin and drummer Steve Roberts. The original supergroup also boasted guitarist Roine Stolt, drummer Zoltan Csörsz, keyboardist Sam Baine, multi-instrumentalist Guy Manning and Van der Graaf Generator’s David Jackson, while later guests have included drummer Gavin Harrison and vocalist David Longdon. It is a remarkable cast, drawn together by Tillison’s singular vision.

Where to start

Begin with “The Music That Died Alone” (2003), The Tangent’s landmark debut and still a fan favourite — a perfect distillation of everything they do. From there, the acclaimed “The Slow Rust of Forgotten Machinery” (2017) shows their mature, politically charged prog at its best, while “A Place in the Queue” (2006) is another high point. Three albums that capture one of modern prog’s most rewarding bands.

Why they still matter

The Tangent matter as one of modern progressive rock’s sharpest and most characterful bands — a group who proved that prog could honour its 1970s roots while remaining witty, contemporary and unafraid to say something. Through Andy Tillison’s keyboards, songwriting and singular vision, and a roll-call of gifted collaborators, they have built a rich and consistently rewarding body of work. For anyone who wants their progressive music clever, eclectic and full of personality, The Tangent are essential listening.

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