Detroit’s progressive rock mainstays, Tiles, have re-titled their sixth studio release Pretending To Run. Produced by Terry Brown (Rush, Fates Warning), the 100-minute two-disc set is a song cycle about unexpected and unwanted change – a dark tale of betrayal, disillusionment and isolation.

Says guitarist Chris Herin: “We knew this was an ambitious project – lyrically and musically – but we didn’t plan on it ballooning into a double album! It just happened. The songs kept coming and the storyline demanded more trips into the central character’s troubled thoughts and state of mind. So…, here we are with an elaborate concept album that follows in the best of prog traditions. Each disc essentially plays like one long song, complete with recurring themes, reprises and segues. To help deliver the songs to their full potential we’ve enlisted a string quartet, a 25-piece choir and a host of special guests.”

Lending their talents to Pretending To Run is an impressive cast of supporting collaborators: Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, ex-Dream Theater), Mike Stern (Miles Davis), Kim Mitchell (Max Webster), Adam Holzman (Steven Wilson Band), Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree), Joe Deninzon (Stratospheerius), Kevin Chown (Tarja Turunen, Chad Smith), Mark Mikel (Pillbugs), Tim Michling (Ann Arbor Symphony), Renaissance Voices (Henry Ford College) and Matthew Parmenter (Discipline).

Visit the Tiles Files newsletter at this location for behind-the-scenes updates as the band continues recording Pretending To Run.