IN MURMURATION

Von Hertzen Brothers multiple influences ranging from hard to pop, from Deep Purple to Asia, Led Zeppelin to Yes and Pink Floyd. A sound far from the reassuring prog drawers for rock above all with heavy, folk, pop, progressive scents. A modern sound.

'The Relapse' starts electric, jerky rocker title, catchy, an energetic bass like Alice in Chains, Queens of The Stone Age did so well, on the edge of the progressive sound; a sax that belches, a fat sound, machine gun on stand and the millimeter harmony. Final fade a little annoying without soul there. 'A Good Life' the air stabilizes, a zest of Pineapple Thief for the anthem and its heady chorus; a tempo eyeing the grandiloquent airy ballad, effective. 'Starlings' in 4/4 rock rhythm and the dancing Arabizing verse; a rock talking about clouds of bird flights, a sax solo, the energetic synth in musical image to imitate this art of perpetual movement. 'Ascension Day' same tune at the beginning, we go on Pulp, Oasis, in short rock-pop worthy of a Springsteen while there is a nod to Dylan's blues. The groovy synth riff makes you move from the chair, take the arm of the neighbor and dance on the fly for this hymn piece as desired. 'Beneath the Silver Stars' languorous air spleen at the beginning reminding me of Coldplay, Muse, the sound eyeing Barclay James Harvest for the marshmallow feeling of the 70s. The classical contribution with the flight of the violins amplifying. The chiseled guitar solo bringing back to those of Charlie of Simple Minds. Today's prog title juggling with the atmospheres; solemn.

'Tightrope Walker' starts again with the explosive, jerky rock sound that doesn't leave you indifferent; festive, fruity rock with metronomic drums and a little tweaked progressive variation. The nervous finale, tense on the edge of hard rock to disconcert a little more on a heavy Beatlesian Love, love, love. 'The Change' on the technical side a groove in 6/8, on the sensation side the fracture between the laid-back folk verse and the grandiose heavy chorus and the warm voice that makes you shiver. A piece that rises and pours the sax solo on grandiloquent choruses, emotion. 'Separation' the piano interlude on a crystalline voice, filled with doubt; a little progressive meditative interlude. 'Snowstorm' begins the drum pad in a gallop with the guitar and choruses around reminiscent of Led Zeppelin. The slow tempo with an epic atmosphere, slow, laid-back, reflecting the heavy crescendo. The melodic solo oozes modern prog without frills but with emphasis and height making you regret the other tracks not quite prog-sounding enough. 'Wait for Me' and this little wind hanging up these two titles; a flight of piano notes bringing the progression from the start. The acoustic guitar launches the austere, heartbreaking ballad with the violin in the background. The voice catches, it seems like there is a Hertzen in the living room to sing for me; the final solo, indescribable, fine, chiseled, crystalline.

A raw, simple but still captivating album. Beautiful and great timeless music for this extraordinary group.