INTERFACE

I really didn't think I would find a HELDON album that I would like better than "Stand By". I would suggest getting them both as these are two of the best albums I have heard from the Electronic genre. Of course Pinhas' guitar style has a lot to do with why I love this band so much. I'll also mention Auger who at times makes me laugh with joy at the way he plays his drums. Patrick Gauthier is the third and final member of the band on this recording, he plays both moog bass and mini-moog. Of note my version has three bonus songs on it that aren't tacked on the end, but are tracks 3, 6 and 7.

"Les Soucoupes Volantes Vertes" has this relentless rhythm of drums and moog bass, while Pinhas adds moog III & moog b. A constant beat for 2 1/2 minutes to open the album. "Jet Girl" opens with electronics and the drums are cool as they are all over the place.The guitar meanwhile is doing it's own version of "scorched earth policy". The song calms down 5 minutes in but is still powerful, just slower. The guitar is crying out like a caged animal. "Le Retour Des Soucoupes Volantes" is one of the bonus songs and it sounds amazing with the electronic sounds,mini-moog and drums. "Bal-A-Fou" is an Auger composition like the first track was. Lots of atmosphere as strange spacey sounds fill the air. Auger is on synths as well as drums and percussion on this song. No melody until 3 1/2 minutes in as the drums and mini-moog provide that. The bass is prominant 5 minutes in from guest player Didier Batard. A very cool sound for the last couple of minutes.

"Le Fils Des Soucoupes Volantes (Vertes)" features powerful guitar and drums.This is killer ! Way too short though. The next two songs are bonus songs "Interface-Live (Part 1)" and "Interface-Live (Part 2)" recorded in Paris, France in 1978. The first has a mechanical sound to it with Auger playing synthesized percussion. 3 1/2 minutes in the drums start to rise above the mechanical rhythm,but it fails. The guitar comes in and succeeds in overcoming the beat with monster-like sounds. The drums then start to become more powerful with random patterns. This continues into part 2. The drums are getting stronger,what an incredible sound as the guitar continues to cry out. "Interface" is the 19 minute finale. It starts with the same theme of synthesized percussion which really goes on for too long for my liking, although some drums and electronics are mixed in fortunately. 8 1/2 minutes in the guitar arrives with some angular melodies. The drums are fantastic ! Great sound 12 minutes in. The intensity is rising if that's possible. The guitar solo to end it is shocking. Where did that come from ?

There isn't a song on here I don't like. I'm not sure how many people out there will like HELDON's music, the way he mixes electronics with fantastic drumming and guitar playing. I'm looking forward to listening to their fifth release, as I continue to explore HELDON albums from the newest to the oldest.