Thou Shalt is also different in that frontman Tangmo carried almost all the songwriting water. This doesn't mean he labored on his own. He was joined by Phil Close and Thom Polimeros--veterans of Close to the Ground-- and by Michael Kardos, in arrangements and filling many instrumental slots. William Liggett and Jay P. Lindsey came through with lyrical assists. Nine of the first ten songs--the main body of the album's concept--were written for the RPM Challenge, with one tune (Mr. Jay) emerging as a last minute replacement as the album was being finalized for actual public release.

The remaining four tracks are instrumentals that, in their own ways, speak to the overall vibe and meaning of the album as a whole. They also fulfill Tangmo's commitment to provide listeners, friends, and fans with no fewer than fourteen tracks. Why fourteen? When The Beatles were the biggest band in the world, they had fourteen tracks on all their LP's. Farfetched Tangmo Band doesn't feel right settling for less of an effort.

Thou Shalt is a bit lighter listening in terms of style than Close to the Ground, but still infused with the same lyrical irony and musical variety that fans of the first album appreciated. This is no 'Sophomore Slump'. Enjoy. We did.