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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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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).
Like Italian is the language of opera (with French and - on some rare occasions - Russian being the exceptions at the opera house), so the language of rock is English. Or - that is what we expect.
Not here! And though this keeps me from understanding fully the lyrics of the pieces, it changes the character of the music to some extent. Which I consider good. So, think of this music as VERY HEAVY FLAMENCO. Well? What do you think?
Vocals are good and they keep the sound from becoming boring. Actually the accompaniment is not bad, though maybe somewhat too monotonous. Too little variation in it. (I keep pondering on the following: how many independent songs are in Iron Maiden's "Afraid to Shoot Strangers"?)
But otherwise - quite good listening on the couch. And I believe quite good also in a stadium - if it ever comes to that...
The reviewer should be the person to define everything no author ever would care to define. In this case it is not that easy. "Electronic" is the word to describe the instruments. Which is the word to describe the compositions - I give up. I cannot say.
"Trance" is another substantial word here. If you wish to use it as a background sound, you are bound to lose the essence. Either you let it carry you away, or it just flows past you.
Space Fantasy and Transistorland are my favourites. Poligon seemed somewhat boring, too little creativity, too much repetition; but then again - I was disturbed by the mundane world while listening to it.
This album may not please everyone. It is "old skool" in so many ways. Starting from the warm sounds of analogue synth, to the development and organisation of compositions.
First it seems to be a nice background sound. Something to play softly when doing other things. Well, it is more than that. Volga flows - slow and majestic. Anna suddenly appears and lures you into something unknown. I might differ from the other reviewers, but I find the irony of the New Day quite appropriate here. It is life as a whole. Including all its facets.
Once thing I lack: one more track (in the multitrack recording) beyond the rhythm, bass, chord and melody. Things like that can make dramatic difference, when applied correctly; just a slight touch of another timbre to strengthen and emphasise!
Lennon... Why would John be mentioned here? it is rather Paul and Art who should consider this something familiar. Still I miss something like "Mrs. Robinson". Greatly.
The first few songs sounded refreshing. Acoustic and sensually sung. But then I needed to check the player to find out whether I have missed a pause between the songs or it is still the same.
Nice background for a romantic evening. Rather boring by daytime. Sorry. Everything is quite well done, still. My daily allowance of this kind of music is much smaller than this serving.
Now, what have we got here?
There is "Nightwish". "Evanescence". On jamendo you'll find "Diablo Swing Orchestra". They all are doing the same thing. But differently.
So does "Both". It is the vocals that make them stand out. Not as operatic as some of the above. But with taste and energy. And timbre. Some of their own, indeed.
It is always the task of the reviewer to define a performer's style. What do we have here? Blast, I don't know! "Elle disent" features some ska, schlager and then - real rock! I liked that one, really.
"La forteresse vide" is the one I liked the most. maybe because I have always had a soft spot for romantic pieces created by real hard rockers. This "celtic rock" piece caught my attention despite the fact that I do not understand a word sung.
Bu then "In vino veritas" was a tasteless one. Exploiting (I mean it!) the same principle as "Elle disent", playing the ska part (let's call it so) without a single variation, making the whole piece seem much too long. Nah, guys. Not good...
They DO stand out in this collection of albums. As somebody differing from the average. Still, if that different thing is overexploited it becomes annoying. Aurea mediocritas?
So, nostalgic classic days. Marc Bolan and T. Rex? Some. Dire Straits? A wee bit. Maybe more. One could think of more I believe.
They are a rare style and approach here on jamendo; a rare one in our day in general. That is why they should be here, to make the rainbow palette full.
But there is something that makes me feel some enthusiasm is missing. The drum sound - somewhat too machine-like (I consider that a drawback, while even well-known guys have been using machines for that purpose), the overall sound - something too well-known, lacking freshness. I admit, their sound is just a sound to me, as I do not understand French. And a few songs cannot speak volumes about the guys having made them.
"You smoke" original version is my favourite of these. The remix comes from a totally different world. Does it belong here?
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