With the return of original drummer Mark Evans (absent from 2004's "Window Dressing," "Fly Paper" finds T I L E S embracing a renewed sense of experimentation to craft a streamlined collection of songs featuring the intricacies of progressive rock blended with deep rhythmic grooves and dense arrangements. Producer Terry Brown (Rush, Fates Warning, IQ) returns to the helm to deliver a vibrant vintage soundscape. Hugh Syme captures the CD's overall lyrical theme of human vulnerability with a simple-yet-disquieting paper airplane floating over a city skyline - representing an obvious sense of threat while maintaining the whimsical notion the plane is only paper.

Nominated for a 2009 Detroit Music Award, "Fly Paper" features an impressive roster of special guests including Alex Lifeson (Rush) on guitar, Alannah Myles on vocals; Kim Mitchell (Max Webster) on guitar; Hugh Syme on keyboards and orchestration; and Matthew Parmenter (Discipline) on keyboards and vocals.

Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) praised "Fly Paper" as "Tiles’ best CD yet! Sharp, precise vocals tell tales and set scenes - thundering drums and bass lines connect weaving melodies: strong stuff..."

This limited pressing of "Fly Paper" includes the solo piano bonus track "Passing Notes" performed by Hugh Syme.

***** T I L E S Biography *****

Hailing from the fertile musical landscape of Detroit, T I L E S features Chris Herin (guitar, keyboards), Jeff Whittle (bass), Paul Rarick (vocals) and Mark Evans (drums). Formed in 1993, T I L E S has forged a style that overlays the adventure of progressive rock onto an aggressive hard rock platform. The band has released five studio albums worldwide and recently commemorated their 20th anniversary (with the original line-up intact) with a pair of live recordings, “Off the Floor 01” & “Off the Floor 02”.

Launched with words of encouragement from Gene Simmons of KISS “I was totally blown away, amazing…” the band’s self-titled debut charted in Japan and was equally well-received in Germany and across Europe. The follow-up “Fence the Clear” saw T I L E S expanding their fan base and experimenting with long form song structures. It also marked the beginning of the band’s partnership with Rush producer Terry Brown, who mixed the album.

T I L E S rose from the underground with 1999’s “Presents of Mind” – once again mixed by Terry Brown and featuring artwork by award winning artist Hugh Syme. Lauded by Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull "Tiles are undoubtedly one of the brighter hopes for the musical millennium!” and Prog ambassador Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater “I love this CD. The whole disc is full of great musicianship and great songwriting with catchy hooks" – T I L E S was invited by Portnoy to tour with Dream Theater in November 1999.

After a lengthy gestation period, the band’s fourth album “Window Dressing” appeared in 2004. This time Terry Brown helmed the entire project – producing, engineering and mixing. "Window Dressing" received high marks worldwide for its experimental blend of Prog elements with dark garage rock aesthetics and was nominated for a 2005 Detroit Music Award. The intriguing artwork of Hugh Syme perfectly captures the album’s theme that things aren’t always as they appear: is the girl dressing in the window real or plastic, or is she window dressing for an abandoned building?

Released in 2008, "Fly Paper" is the fifth studio recording from T I L E S. Again noted producer Terry Brown fashioned an organic and bold recording and helped the band craft a collection of songs where the intricacies of progressive rock co-exist with deep rhythmic grooves and dense arrangements. Nominated for a Detroit Music Award and well-received within the Prog community, "Fly Paper" features an impressive roster of special guests including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Alex Lifeson of Rush. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull hailed “Fly Paper” as “Tiles’ best CD yet!”

Bridging the gap between studio albums are 2012’s “Off the Floor 01” and 2014’s “Off the Floor 02”. Marking their “approximate” 20th anniversary, T I L E S recorded several ‘live in the studio’ sessions which offer new perspectives on standout tracks from each of the band's five studio recordings and serve as career retrospectives. "Off the Floor 02” was nominated for a 2015 Detroit Music Award.

Now, after eight years…, T I L E S returns with a vengeance by delivering the mesmerizing 2-CD magnum opus “Pretending to Run.” Clocking in at over 96-minutes, “Pretending to Run” is an ambitious and richly crafted song cycle spinning the tale of a man blindsided and disillusioned by betrayal. Brooding and expressive, T I L E S explores the dark subject matter by blending stylistically diverse musical elements. Lyrical string arrangements, haunting choir performances, ambient textures and lush vocals co-exist with thundering drums, weaving bass lines and an army of guitars to create a vivid experience that delivers the story’s emotional journey from isolation to redemption.

T I L E S teamed up again with producer Terry Brown – and with mastering by Grammy award winning engineer Peter Moore, “Pretending to Run” boasts a powerful and detailed sonic landscape. Complementing the dramatic and multi-layered storyline is Hugh Syme’s striking and surreal imagery. Featuring a lush 28-page full-color booklet, the design and packaging for “Pretending to Run” is an elaborate and stunning work of art.

Lending their talents to “Pretending to Run” is an extraordinary collection of special guest musicians: Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Winery Dogs), Adam Holzman (Steven Wilson Band), Mike Stern (Miles Davis), Kim Mitchell (Max Webster), Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree), Kevin Chown (Tarja Turunen, Chad Smith), Max Portnoy (Next to None), Matthew Parmenter (Discipline), Mark Mikel (Pillbugs), Joe Deninzon, and other notable guests from the Detroit area…

T I L E S endorses Mesa/Boogie Amplification, Elixir Strings, Aquarian Drumheads, Eden Electronics, and Ken Smith Basses & Strings.