Short Reviews [Temple of Switches - 2022 - "Four"]

2022 saw the band return with their fourth album, and yet again it saw some changing of the guard with just two mainstays this time in Tenk Van Dool (bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals) and David White (drums) again being joined by guests which a returning Dale Wiser providing bass on one song, Akuda (who I think was previously known as Kevin McConnell) back providing vocals on one song, with Jim Chavez returning to do the same with Amanda Lehmann also providing vocals on one. This is the first time since the debut that there has been another musician apart from Tenk play on every song, while everyone apart from Amanda had been involved in at least one other album, with Akuda and Jim now being on three. With David and Tenk working together on every aspect of the album, this has much less of a split personality than the previous one, yet although there has been a tempering of some of the more avant garde moments which could be found particularly on their second, this still does not have the more singular approach which we had with their debut. It is definitely far more rounded in its approach, with “Pareidolia” a fine example of how music can be delivered when the percussionist and melodic lead are fully in sync. Dale may no longer be a full member of the band, but the way he interacts with David and Tenk on “Dale’s Neglected Song”, which appears to be built around a drum solo, is simply wonderful. I really enjoyed the interaction between the three of them on the previous release and was actually expecting an album from the trio this time around, and this instrumental demonstrates just what a powerful entity they are when in full flight. True, Tenk is providing guitar and keyboards here, but it is the closest we get to a band really pushing hard. “Human Zoo” is far more reflective, but while that is not uncommon, there are quite a few rockier numbers, and it is interesting to hear how the band keep reinventing themselves with each release. It is not possible to know in advance what a Temple of Switches album is going to be like, nor who is going to play a part and how big that is going to be apart from Tenk Van Dool as here is a band who keep reinventing themselves and their music each time, and all power to them for doing that. Personally, my favourite is the debut, but all three have merits and are a band that progheads should be investigating.