MUSIQUE POUR L'ODYSSÉE

After the pleasant initiation offered by their debut, Art Zoyd continued with equally convincing bravura on Musique Pour L'odyssee, a challenging chamber rock album with a small classical chamber ensemble, forceful rhythmic electric bass and crazed vocals. More then once, those elements bring Magma to mind, but apart from some sparse percussion there is no drumming whatsoever on the album.

The title track is a storming piece, featuring 17 minutes intense and dark music. The musicians build up a chilling tension that reminds of the modern classical composers Stravinsky and Bartok. But it's not blind worship, the integration of the Zeuhl elements make it into something very new and refreshing. The composition is superb.

Two relatively shorter pieces complete this concise album. Bruit, Silence-Bruit, Repos continues the Zeuhl attack on Stravinsky and nicely follows the structure promised by the title. Frantic noise, quiet countered by nervous atonality, and a relatively peaceful ending. The dreamy Trio is my favorite here. The repetitious violins give it a minimalist Philip Glass touch but the dynamic composition and touching melancholy easily surpass Philip Glass for me.

An amazing album opening with two brilliant compositions and closing with a masterpiece. Recommended listen for all lovers of early modernist composers and Magma.