MARE CRISIUM

Second album (but impossible to date from the disc or its artwork) from these crazy Québecois, and a second strike at the bowling alley. They still have the same formula than on their debut album, hovering between countrymen Miriodor and Belgian Julverne

Lenghty (8 min+) opener and its Arab influences are a perfect intro to their crazy adventures never far away from chamber music, while the short untitled interlude leads onto a rather inaptly titled Apothéose. Fifth track Langoustine is gypsy-jazz dominated and seventh Ego Sum is a rather quiet affair approaching contemporary classical music (it might just be the highlight of the album). F Suite is much closer to Crimson improv from the Wetton-Bruford era and is a bit startling with its electric guitar and violin (the vast majority of instruments are acoustic on the album). Petit Royaume is the second of three sung tracks, and it is very similar to Nescalier on their debut while surprisingly loud Mon Tang Rustre and Mon Mouton are both notable tracks. Closing track is ending the album in a highly unusual and eclectic fashion and sung in English. Very bizarre and demented track ending after some roughly 10 mins, but ensues two minute of silence before a hidden track (a free form improv) takes over for some six more minutes

Both albums hold a bunch of short (and sometimes untitled) interludes that separate the main tracks with strange humorous ideas. Personally I prefer Zucchini (especially for the crazy closer Fuite), but it is a very tiny difference as both albums are absolutely worthy avant-prog albums.