Publication: Blast! Magazine
Country Of Origin: Germany
Review Date: Spring 2008
Reviewer: Unknown
Transcription: Al Grabenstein

"In the Footsteps of Rush"

In the 15th year of its existence, the Detroit group Tiles has just presented its fifth album, Fly Paper. This clearly shows that the band does not release new recordings all that often, which you nonetheless gladly put up with if it results in such first-rate albums as Fly Paper. Musically, Tiles are similar to bands such as Spock’s Beard, the short-lived all-star project Transatlantic, and especially Rush; you could even go so far as to consider Tiles the little brothers of the Canadian prog heroes. Thus, it is surely no coincidence that the producer of Fly Paper, Terry Brown, was also responsible for refining the sound of several Rush albums. Further, the magnificent cover was designed by Hugh Syme who has also worked for Rush before and who even appears on one track of Fly Paper as a guest keyboarder. To top it all off, none other than Alex Lifeson, the famous magician on guitar of - you guessed it - Rush was also involved in the creation of the album. However, in spite of all these parallels, one thing is beyond dispute: the eight songs included in Fly Paper are, without exception, small, wonderful gems which deserve heightened attention. In addition to folks who enjoy sophisticated, intricate arrangements, we would suggest that all those who go for hot melodic hard rock for once dare to have a listen. The following titles are especially noteworthy: "Hide in my Shadow," "Back & Forth" (with the participation of another renowned guest, vocalist Alannah Myles), "Dragons, Dreams & Daring Deeds", and the fabulous final track "Hide & Seek".