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Riga ( RIX ) - Latvia
Admin of artists : Strix
Website : http://gribudziedat.lv/?body=143&body-view=files
Joined : August 03, 2009
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This is definitely the most energetic *chanson* I've ever heard. I deeply regret my inability to understand the lyrics, as this is not an instrumental work and the words sung have important meaning, I am sure.
Though it seems to display all the characteristics of metal, there is also some distinctive and meaningful Frenchness in this music, adding to the technical passages and (to my ear) impeccable rhythm section. There is something beyond the mere style standards.
The first three or four tracks appeared the most impressive to me, maybe because the overdose of this type of music in one's headphones makes you immune to its charm. Then "tekore" brought the charm back, though generally it was never fully lost.
To cut this short: great! Keep on rocking!
If the feel about the recording is not intentional, then it is pure insult to the listeners. The odds and ends (in terms of noise) of recordings audible in headphones (the way I listen to the music here), the pedal noise level, singing into plain performance mike instead of a studio one. Trying to play something one cannot play.
There is no such thing as mixing and production in this recording. Poverty is no vice, but...
The singing is in style with the music, so is the guitar playing. Bob Dylan's voice is not much more beautiful. But all together this is a home recording attempt with little effort going into it.
Probably it is meant to sound like recorded during a protest demonstration. And we are just unprepared. That is why people speak of standards...
The longer you live, the more you can learn. The more you learn, the more you know. The more you know, the less new is out there for you.
Nightwish was there LONG before Evanescence. And the voice is already there...
Of the songs here I like "There's No End" and "Moonlight Brightness". I assume in the latter the piano knowingly imitates a classic piece. The laconic means of expression add to the beauty.
Some other pieces sound like a somewhat unfinished demo to me (e.g. "Touch Me", the guitar even appears to be out of tune a tad).
The voice has all the potential, is very nice and convincing, still there are some places where a few hours more in the studio (or in front of that mike) would have yielded a significantly better result.
Who am I to criticise? No-one, indeed. My number of listens is not even close to that of Magdalen's. Still I believe if she could improve her sound that little bit, she might be found on completely different sites and known to many more people worldwide. Which I wish her from all my heart.
Since the very first sounds, I had the feeling that it resembles something. The overall sound has bits and pieces from so many. "Ride with the Devil" guitar is so Mark Knopfler, "Rate Me" - T.Rex reborn, even the voice is that of Marc... Something in it resembles the early years of The Sweet. Could not hear anything Beatles-ish, though.
Overall: nice to listen to as a background. Good to dance to. My ear found little to cling to when only listening to this music. Although it is really well done and completely in style.(A stylisation as a whole, maybe?) But one's taste is no point in a discussion, of course.
The title and the cover image might mislead. Instead of something frenzied and discordant you will find a melancholic and beautiful piece.
One of the few people these days, who can stand the temptation to add some more electronic/virtual instruments to the mix...
This is not just a piano here. Some synthesised sounds are helping to build the overall soundscape.
Nothing *new*, but a very pleasant sound. Calm. Soothing. I *love* "Somewhere, far, innocence". There is something to the way it sounds.
The technically highly sophisticated tracks are not the best here. But I will say no more. Listen for yourselves!
I will start by saying that this is not quite the music I would listen to all day every day. still I listened to this album twice. It IS captivating. My taste obviously differs from that of those who have written their reviews here (I make music that is close to that I like to listen to see/hear here: http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/50068?refuid=685015), still it cannot deprive this album its professionalism and air.
The air has something slightly in common with that of some other performers. Sombres Matins made me think of Dire Straits (until came Lobogris and tear it all apart!), some other pieces evoke thoughts of Vaya con Dios or Beautiful South. Well, not that this could be considered imitation. Just the number of notes and chords in music is so limited...
One thing I consider inappropriate: programmed rhythm. However well you do it, it still remains cold and unresponsive. The Quest for the Holy Grail. Listen for yourselves and you might see what I mean.
But a project like this must be enormously rewarding to participate in. Just the feel is worth more than anything else. Alas, all I can is sing and play mouth harp, not especially rare talents these days. But I'll keep dreaming... Listening to this album.
In order to play guitar one needs certain skills. Upon learning how to, one can master the basics. But there will still be much space where the fingers will not be able to follow the mind. Only with time freedom comes, incredible as it may sound - even in vocal technique (some might be likely to argue that I am wrong here.
Listening to this recording there is no space for doubt that the mind and the physical ability travel at the same speed here. That is for sure.
The overall sound is somewhat dry, too studio-like. I wonder whether it is possible to listen to the same works live, somewhere, sometime.
My favourites are clear: Maiden's Dance, Three Minutes in Hell, and Stand Alone. Three utterly different works. But that's what this album is about, isn't it?
The favouirites
I am no fan of 5-stringed instruments (well, with the exception of those that have five really thick strings and that stomach-bumping sound...you know!). So some of the tracks really were not my favourites.
Still I must admit that this album is very well done, from harmony, to melody, to overall sound. And the lyrics, of course.
There is something in these pieces that appears to be heard before, somewhere, somehow. Definitely the best of it. But... nothing in particular can be mentioned. Something from "Del Amitri"? "Eagles"? "Pink Floyd"? There is just that limited number of notes and chords. And with so many people having made music in the history of humanity it is hardly possible to come up with something that has never been done before...
Which are my favourites, then? Sure. "Private Hurricane" and "I am not Dreaming". The first for the unexpected guitar riffs. The second... Ah, the second! All of it. Sorry, it seems I am with the dark (not the stoopid). And so is that song.
Josh, come to Latvia. Let's make a jam session together!
This is a very special "chanson". Some you have never heard before, I am sure. It combines many different things into music that is hard to limit by any genre description.
Still my feelings are rather mixed. I love the crazy naive piano of "Les lendemains", but when it continues throughout the whole piece - it is too much.
The sound of the recording appears to me that of a home studio. It would be difficult to find fault with the played instrumental parts and the vocals, something in the way the result is mastered adds to its being ...boring. Sorry.
There is definitely little hard rock, metal and just a touch of gothic, it is rather alternative (the title song "Solitude moderne" - an example of that).
This is my take, of course. Tastes are not to be disputed (or it leads to (at least -flame) wars).
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