SKOPE ENTERTAINMENT

"Mirana simply sang her heart out while she meshed in perfectly with Rick's production. She showed some very nice singing patterns along with some good melodies. I feel that the tracks "Periphery" and "Dark Side" are her best vocal performances on the album. This artist really seemed to be in charge as she was just in the zone musically. The all-around connection at the end with everything coming together beautifully proves that the tide is high."

One aspect that I truly loved about this album was the use of sounds and beats. The sound production is spot on with Rick bringing his A-Game. I heard everything from hip-hop, pop/dance, technoish, trance-like and tribal beats to a smoother-than-butter vibe on "Corner." This song also supplied a peaceful-spirited feel with a nice sentiment all played to light, bubbly & bouncy beat. To wrap matters up, the last two tracks bring you a hot club dance mix along with a futuristic flow. Cool, hip and modern beats are fully loaded on this new album and I simply can't get enough!

Worth noting that there are some cool guitar moments on "This Storm" and a simple yet strong piano presence on "Hour of Pain". Mirana belts out some hauntingly, deep-minded lyrics on "Ghosts" that really tug at your soul. The tide has rolled in for these life partners who hope to connect with millions of people on their new project."

Theory of Tides - Preview for Swept Away

Mirana & Rick Comstock are known as Theory of Tides and they are offering listeners a special 3-song teaser. These three tracks are designed to get you ready for the EP release of 'Swept Away'. Now we shall see if the Tides come crashing in and sweep you away; all in Theory of course.

Mirana is on vocals, keyboards & percussion while her musical partner Rick plays the role of guitarist, bassist, percussionist & producer. The Comstocks prove to be a winning team with the follow up to their 2009 debut release. Right away on the opener "Lucky You" you sense a lot of feeling coming from the voice of Mirana Comstock. This sensation makes sense since the song is about having your heart broken so Theory of Tides nailed it from an emotional standpoint. On the closing number "Colder Than Winter" you realize that "Last Summer" has come and gone for the duo but never forgotten. This song serves as a constant reminder that memories are always alive in us with some being pleasant and some being not so desirable. Whether good or bad, the memory is there and that is the point that Theory of Tides is trying to make here on "Colder Than Winter".

Vocally & lyrically, Mirana was reaching far as you could detect something very real & organic about her singing. Rick's musical ability equally shines as this pair prove to make music that speaks to a large audience. Theory of Tides continues to paint a visual landscape if you will through their music & words. The mix of elements is quite unique here and the best way to describe it all is nice, chill music. This 3-song preview has a very free-flowing tone to it with Mirana & Rick delivering one hypnotic sound.

NEU FUTUR

Theory of Tides - Swept Away EP (CD)

"Lucky You" is an interesting pop track that ties together a current and contemporary sound with the synth-pop of the eighties along with the female singers of the mid-sixties. By bringing back these disparate styles and bundling them up with a bold new approach, what results in the Theory of Tides EP is nothing less than revolutionary. "Stay Away" is my favorite track on this album, as it provides an interesting frame for the female vocals. Where "Lucky You» operated on a specific blend of influences, "Stay Away" links together goth, Stevie Nicks-types of pop and even classical music to make a track that will never be forgotten.

While the constellation of influences adopted by Theory of Tides during this effort continue to change with subsequent tracks, the uniting force to these tracks has to be a dark, smoky allure to the act that never disappears. This appeal even manifests itself during "Colder Than Winter", a slower track that operates on more of a classical meets blues axis. This track is particularly notable due to the way in which synthesizers are used here.

The atmosphere and environment that are created with the instrumental arrangements do more for the telling of Theory of Tides story than any narration by the vocals; the two voices (musical and audible) that can thus be heard here push each part to their logical end. The three tracks on this release are impressive, but I want to hear how Theory of Tides have evolved in the full album format. Here's to hoping that the act can come out with a full length album before the end of the year, but if not, each of the tracks on the "Swept Away" EP have more than enough legs to keep listeners interested.

Top Tracks: Stay Away, Colder Than Winter

Theory of Tides(CD)

"Unsure" seems to exist in a weird space between the eighties New Romantic movement and the current backing instrumentation that singers like Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. Mirana's vocals further establish Theory of Tides as a truly special act, one that can use the widest possible swath of approaches to create the music heard here. "Karaoke" is Theory of Tides' first bona fide hit, with cohesion abounds between the instrumental and vocal sides of the act. This results in a track that rides a groove while Mirana's vocals clue listeners into a wonderfully detailed narrative. "No Stone Unturned" speeds things up substantially, while taking on a sound that is influenced by early Pet Shop Boys and Madonna. The vocals may be the leading feature during the track, but one cannot discount the synthesizers and percussion as less important. The atmosphere that these elements create is integral to properly contextualize the vocals; Theory of Tides have another interesting and intelligently-crafted track in this. Theory of Tides continues to innovate with their "Dark Side"; the Switchblade Symphony meets Stevie Nicks sound to the lyrics here is made the more haunting through the inclusion of additional vocal layers.

"Elated" comes forth with a wind-swept sound that, while rooted in an eighties dance style seems to touch the "futuristic" sound of a "Mr. Roboto" or "Subdivisions" -era Rush. For my money, "Elated" may just be the best track on this self-titled release due to the distance between the different influences that are tapped here. Theory of Tides, and this album specifically, should be seen as a blueprint for how to properly incorporate disparate genres of music into one cogent sound.

More so, Theory of Tides is able to come forth with their own unique sound, no matter how active or audible these other influences may be. While the dominant sound here would have to appeal most to those into dance, ambient, or electronic music, I feel that the fourteen compositions here are done with enough care and love to appeal to anyone that gives the disc a fair shake.

Top Tracks: Chemistry of Tears, This Storm

Rating: 8.7/10

SUITE 101

CD Review: Theory of Tides' EP 'Swept Away' Blissful

Husband and wife duo Theory of Tides weave fluid electronic orchestrations with piercing lyrics in their three-song EP.

Sometimes the feeling is numbing. Sometimes the mood is reflective. Sometimes the synthesizer is like a dancing streamer on a foggy morning. Something in Theory of Tides' three-track EP Swept Away truly sweeps the listener to another place; a blissful state-of-mind . It is as though the background orchestrations are cooler air massaging over a moving body of water.

Rather Eclectic Sounds

The first track, "Lucky You" has this tingly start to it, almost like the song is tricking the listener it is going to be a heart­thumping dance track. Instead, the mood is mellowed, and the vocals trickle along like more of New Age organic piece. It is rather eclectic - and sounds more electronic than acoustic; more Gaelic than granola.

Perhaps it is this writer's recent kick of watching the final season of Showtime's The Tudors, but the stream of consciousness lends itself that there is something very European, daunting about this song. It feels other worldly. It is not baroque or overdone, it is simplistic and eerily moving in the background. It like a water is dripping over the wall of sound.

Mirana Comstock (vocals, keys, percussion) has this presence to her that is modest, yet charging. Her husband, Rich, is seamless in his work on the guitar, bass and percussion. This track is not heavy on the percussion, but the tones and rhythm shine.

Leaves the Listener in a Cooler Mood

The second track "Stay Away" is consistent to the sound found in "Lucky You" but leaves the listener in a 'cooler' mood. It has this foggier sound to it, darker mood. It is very enjoyable, though! The lyrics trigger the listener.

The final track "Colder Than Winter" strangely enough did not leave this writer in a 'colder' mood than "Stay Away." It does bring a shiver to the listener in a way that breathes a new energy than the previous tracks. "Colder Than Winter" is the second favorite of the three tracks. Perhaps the Massachusetts-based couple found solace in the dreary winters mixed with the blazing heat of summer in their East Coast home.

NOTABLE REVIEW QUOTES

"Mirana's vocals further establish Theory of Tides as a truly special act, one that can use the widest possible swath of approaches to create the music heard here."
- NeuFutur

"Cool, hip and modern beats are fully loaded on this new album and I simply can't get enough!"
- Skope Entertainment

"...it's like alternative trance music, with brief smatterings of hip hop/latin beats. Arty, yes - but does it work? Actually, yes."
- eMusic

"Theory of Tides, and this album specifically, should be seen as a blueprint for how to properly incorporate disparate genres of music into one congent sound."
- NeuFutur

"...Mirana simply sang her heart out while she meshed in perfectly with Rick's production the all around connection at the end with everything coming together beautifully proves that the tide is high."
- Skope Entertainment

"Karaoke is Theory of Tide's first bona fide hit, with cohesion abounds between the instrumental and vocal sides of the act. This results in a track that rides a groove while Mirana's vocals clue listeners into a wonderfully detailed narrative."
- NeuFutur

"Track's like 'Elated' have an Ibiza-in-summer feel and a deep house beat underneath Mirana's distinctive vocals. 'Hour of Pain' is built on a swishing cymbol beat and keyboard chords, and again it works - the vocal fades and quiet bass additions are spot on."
- eMusic

"One aspect that I truly loved about his album was the use of sounds and beats. The sound production is spot on with Rick bringing his A-game. I heard everything from hip-hop, pop/dance, technoish, trance and tribal beats..."
- Skope Entertainment