EN REGARDANT PASSER LE TEMPS

Carpe Diem

Eclectic Prog

3.75 | 126 ratings

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Easy Livin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

A nice way to pass the time

This, Carpe Diem's first album, dates from the mid-1970's although the band had been around for some years prior to its release. The music of the band is probably best compared to Camel, although overall the sound is a bit harder and jazzier.

This album consists of just 4 tracks, three of which range from 10-12 minutes long. The opening "Voyage du non-retour" is a shorter instrumental piece which forms a sort of upbeat overture. The vocals are heard for the first time on the album's longest track, "Reincarnation". Co-incidentally they are, as with Camel, the band's Achilles heel, being rather bland and ineffective. Thankfully they are kept brief, the track developing well through mainly keyboard flourishes. At times, suggestions of the more melodic side of Hawkwind drift in and out, although we never actually reach Space Rock territories.

"Jeux du Siecle" is the most symphonic of the tracks, with fine guitar and lush keyboards arrangements. Without wishing to labour the point, the fact that it is largely devoid of vocals (they form a brief coda to the piece) also contributes to it being (for me) the best of the bunch. The final track, "Publiophobie" is rather like an improvisation on the opening track. Here, the bass is more intrusive than on the rest of the album, the track also having similarities with Camel's "Lunar Sea" from the "Moonmadness" album.

In all, a decent first album which suggests the band have significant technical ability. Recommended for those who might be interested to hear what it sounds like when symphonic prog goes to Canterbury.

Easy Livin | 3/5 | 2008-5-27

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