SANDROSE

French bands have generated some real good albums in the symph genre in the sevventies. I would be tempted to say that Sandrose debut (and final) album might be one of them. I like pretty much the vocals featured here.

The opener "Vision" fully deserves your attention. Iy is NOT an ordinary song. Absolutely personal. Nothing I can remember to be compared with this song. Extraordinary vocals, IMO (at least I am charmed). One of my two favourite song of this album, no doubt. The folkish ballad "Never Good At Saying Good-bye" sounds very much like a Mostly Autumn song... Heather...Another good moment of course.

"Underground Session" features a superb spacey intro (but too short), followed by a jazz-oriented jam (but too long). The full symphonic side of the band is only featured after seven minutes. A Crimsonesque mood (early days) is very much present in all its complexity/beauty. Hard and dark for a moment, and so sweet and nice just a little later. A superb finale of about THIRTY seconds. We should have deserved more of this wonderful music. When thinking of the whole song, I can only be a bit disappointed...Just half a great composition.

I would recommend you to skip "Old Dom Is Dead" and get immediately to "To Take Him Away". This is probably th most symphonic piece of music that sits on this album. Peaceful keyboards, wonderful no : sublime guitar, great vocals and a superb melody. The second highlight. Followed immediately by the third beautiful track : "Summer Is Yonder". Same style, actually.

This album will unfortunately end on a poorer note. The fully jazz closing number is absolutely not my cup of tea.

This is a good album, very different in style from the traditional symph production. I really like the vocals here. I guess it is a hate / love situation. They remind me very much the ones of David Surkamp (Pavlov's Dog).

I recommend you to discover this album for its originality. Nothing to be categorized as a masterpiece IMHHO (in my humble and honest opinion) but a very nice experience. Three stars.