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Window Dressing (ROSFest 2005)

from Off the Floor 02 (Limited Edition) by Tiles

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Tiles Off the Floor 02...

    In celebration of their 20th anniversary, Tiles devised the "Off the Floor" project as both a career retrospective and their first official live recordings. Opting for the controlled environment of a soundstage, the band delivers "live in the studio" performances that offer new perspectives of standout tracks from each of Tiles' five studio recordings. Noted producer Terry Brown (Rush, Fates Warning) renders the final mixes with a refreshingly natural and powerful sound that harkens back to classic '70s live albums.

    Picking up where 2012's "Off the Floor 01" left off, "Off the Floor 02" gives the listener more than a carbon copy of the studio versions and includes a healthy dose of improvisation, a bit of re-imagining and even a little new music in the form of a bass & drums interlude. For the initial "OtF02" 2-disc Limited Edition version, Tiles dug into the archives and dusted off a few tunes unique to their appearance at the 2005 Rites of Spring Festival – featuring the last of only two full performance of the epic "Window Dressing." Also included are two bonus videos from the "Off the Floor" sessions.

    Admittedly this is not your typical live CD since the band opted instead for the controlled environment of a 'soundstage.' But have no fear..., "Off the Floor 02" is truly live..., just live in the studio. And even though you could count the audience on two hands there's no shortage of energy as Tiles delivers no-frills renditions; even leaving in the few "jazz" notes and other imperfections to retain a stamp of authenticity. It's clear the band has fun taking risks and wisely rejected the temptation to turn either "OtF" into a polished studio production.

    The set list represents a portion of what the band played in support of 2008's "Fly Paper." What's interesting is hearing the band's lifetime Detroit residency seeping out of their complicated prog rock constructions: a bit of garage rock looseness, Nugent abandon, Motown pulse, and a healthy dose of Elvin Jones' controlled chaos courtesy of Mark Evans' jazzy underpinnings. Lofty (and seemingly unrelated) references to be sure, but meant only in humble recognition of the inspiration and influence they provide...

    In today's world of predictable and homogenous sounding recordings wholly lacking in character, the magic ears of mixing engineer Terry Brown render a refreshingly organic sound. Harnessing the performances captured by Tiles' confidant Bob Phillips, Mr. Brown pulls it all together and puts everything is in its proper place. Serving up the audio equivalent of a Van Gogh where everything interacts, blends and magically comes together to create the big picture.

    "Off the Floor 02" and the previously released "Off the Floor 01" provide a fresh look at some old songs, add a few new things and give Tiles fans something to tide them over until the next studio release (finally) appears.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Off the Floor 02 (Limited Edition) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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about

Live recording.

lyrics

"Window Dressing"

PART ONE
Tell me what I want to hear
And what keeps you safe
Talk tempts fate
The game is engaged
She plays with fire
Vanity sidesteps around common senses
Shrugging off conscience embracing pride
Twisted scenes bring comfort in delusion
Hide reality from the line of sight
The harvest to intrude
Fight proof
Hollow her words ringing absurd
Lies to save face compounds disgrace
Light filters through the veil exposing guilt
Clutch the straws of logic lost
Hanging on the cross

Ignorance lives in bliss with blinders on
While it shows denial is en vogue
Age-old wisdom's whisper dies from neglect
Our egos to protect

Now that I know
How little we know
About each other
Tracing an image of a portrait
That we wish was true
But the colors run
Faces I see
Tell little about
What to believe
Layers of window dressing
Barely hint at what's beneath
Covered up like paint on rust
Who to trust?
Dress the window
Draw the shade
Light and darkness trade...

PART TWO
If I can still recall
Simplicity seemed like nothing at all
Summertime days to spend without end
Hazy warm faint scent of pine gracing the air
We let our whims take us away
Not to return as Eden drew to a close

Careless deeds strip my faith
Heart on ice I retreat
I wish true were false and fiction real
Bit by bit the mirage fades from view
Never taught finally learned
The corner turned
Wish I may wish I might
Forget illusion's charm

Now that I know
How little we know
About each other
Tracing an image of a portrait
That we wish was true
Fashion covers all we hope to hide
Faces I see
Tell little about
What to believe
Layers of window dressing
Barely hint at what's beneath
Now that I know
How nothing we show
Really matters

Optimistic - pessimistic
Expectation to blame

PART THREE
So much happens that we can't perceive
Safe in a cloak of ignorance
With passing time childish notions finally die
When the pain we endure
Compounds with consciousness
Delusions to protect and survive

Reflecting on what I know I will never know
Curtains drawn concealing the light of truth

credits

from Off the Floor 02 (Limited Edition), released June 3, 2014

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about

Tiles Detroit, Michigan

TILES is a rock band from Detroit who has released 6 studio and 2 live albums world wide. The latest is “Pretending 2 Run.” Over the years the band developed a style that blends the adventure of progressive rock with an aggressive hard rock edge. Notable musicians such as Alex Lifeson (Rush), Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), and Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) have lent their talents & support to TILES. ... more

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