Review by
../Collaborators.asp?id=1076" rel="nofollow -
Syzygy
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Zeuhl/RIO Specialist
../Collaborators.asp?id=1076" rel="nofollow">
Art Zoyd's fourth album remains their strongest offering to date, and also marks the end of
their original RIO chamber rock sound. Shortly after this album they were joined by
keyboard player Patricia Diallo, and elements of contemporary minimalism (Steve Reich,
Philip Glass) were incorporated into their sound. The sound of this double album is
generally closer to contemporary classical than to rock - there is no drum kit (although a lot
of percussion can be heard in places) and the only element anchoring it to prog is Thierry
Zaboitzeff's rumbling bass guitar. Despite this, the music has a real rhythmic drive (mostly
propelled by the piano) and the multi instrumental abilities of the band mean that there is a
varied sonic pallette which occasionally sounds like a full orchestra. There are also
occasional outbursts of demented vocals that recall some of Magma's wilder moments.
For all their formidable abilities as instrumentalists and composers, Art Zoyd's music has
always been just a bit too cold and intellectual to fully engage the listener - many of their
pieces were conceived as soundtracks to multimedia events or installations, and taken out
of context can seem a little lifeless. The music is also very carefully scored most of the
time, but with none of the space for improvisation or interpretation that was usually left by
perfectionists like Frank Zappa and Christian Vander.
Leaving those reservations aside, it's hard to think of any other band who have patrolled
the border between contemporary avant garde and rock music in such a determined and
single minded fashion. The fact that they have continued to explore this singular musical
territory for over 30 years is even more impressive. Recommended for those times when
you want something to engage the intellect and by pass the feet altogether.
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Posted Monday, July 11, 2005
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In the eighties times and music have changed. To survive, many prog bands and musicians
had to listen to record label executives to continue working. So, Asia was one of the new
bands, a supergroup, which had to make compromises to record albums. One of these
compromises was to record an album with a mixture of pop and prog rock. So, this first
album was recorded with both markets in mind: the long time prog fans and the pop fans (a
new market to conquest). And the results of this album are very good. This album still has
some progressive arrangements. It seems that Steve Howe was really "inspired" in this
album. His guitar work is superb. Carl Palmer was playing very good too. John Wetton had
a great voice and played his bass good. Geoff Downes brought his pop influence from The
Buggles to this album, and his keyboards shine too. I liked this album very much when it was
released, and now that I have the CD I still like it very much. In 1982 I was 17 years old, I
was in High School and I played drums in an amateur band, and I also bought an Asia t-shirt
with the cover of this album printed in it and I went to play some gigs with this t-shirt. I was
a teenager then, and I smile to those years. Asia was part of those years and it brings me
good memories.As this album is not entirely progressive, it is not essential for extreme
progressive fans, but it is a good choice for people who understand neessary changes in
music styles to keep music alive.
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Posted Thursday, September 09, 2004
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Les Espaces Inquiets
Review by
../Collaborators.asp?id=30993" rel="nofollow - zravkapt
PROG REVIEWER
Art Zoyd was/is one of the better groups in Avant-Prog. One of the greatest things to come out
of France. They are similar in sound to Univers Zero but are generally more eclectic and weird.
They formed in 1968 and originally were influenced by the Mothers Of Invention and Captain
Beefheart. The first album was self-released in 1976. This is Zoyd's fifth album(not including
the 1980 remake of the debut).
Leave it to Art Zoyd to start one of their albums with the most avant song on it. The
first "Legendes" song, subtitled "La Foret Qui Avance", is a strange and mysterious piece. It's
mostly strange noises and creepy voices whispering. The only real music here is the strings
which come and go. One of the reasons I like this album so much, despite the odd beginning,
is that it has two of my favourite AZ songs here: "Ceremonie" and "Migrations". Those two
songs are really great prog music for 1983; they make Neo-Prog sound like Duran Duran in
comparison. Of course with Duran Duran we're talking about a completely different "Rio".
"Ceremonie"(which you can listen to on PA) begins with dramatic organ before going into the
main part of the song. Simple but effective bass playing with jangly acoustic guitar and some
percussion. Then there is some great trumpet before some almost metal-like screeching from
electric guitar. The end of the song is very avant though, with some weird Magma-esque
vocals. "Migrations" is a song that every progger should hear at least once in their life. This
song has some great bass from Thierry Zaboitzeff(why isn't he on PA yet?).
About 4
minutes in there is a great section with bass and a repeated piano part. Eventually we get
another piano playing over top with viola, then some organ before it goes back again. This
leads to a dissonant section with trumpet and more organ. Around 7 1/2 minutes we get a
drum machine pattern with some very nice piano playing. Overdubbed trumpets appear. Later
we get a very bizarre sound that goes back and forth in the left and right channels. I can only
describe it as a cross between hearing a train go by and a bowling ball knocking over pins.
Of the three "Images" songs, "Cortege Des Officiels" is the most interesting. The last song and
second "Legendes" piece, "La Bruit Du Fer", has some programmed drumming which almost
sounds like the real thing. The bass part is unique sounding; this reminds me of a song that
Einsturzende Neubauten did in the 90s. Art Zoyd are one of the only "rock" groups without a
drummer. Beginning on this album they use drum machines and synths. Previously they were
an almost acoustic group with electric bass and occasionally electric guitar and electric piano.
After this album they dove headfirst into synths and programming, but not quite abandoning
the violins and trumpet just yet.
Art Zoyd is a group that should be more known. It doesn't help that their music is expensive.
Les Espaces Inquits is not their most consistent album but has some of the best music they
did. For 1983 this is very heady and adventurous stuff. 4 stars.
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Posted Thursday, October 28, 2010
ALPHA
Review by
../Collaborators.asp?id=636" rel="nofollow - greenback
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Neo-Prog Specialist
../Collaborators.asp?id=636" rel="nofollow">
This record is slightly sentimental, perfect for the young intellectual
teenagers we were, dreaming of some comprehensive girls and some good
jobs to do as a living. When I listen again to this nowadays, I always
think about the 80's, recalling how enthusiastic we were about our
future! Actually when you listen to the melodic and modern epic
keyboards, to the catchy and addictive lead & backing vocals, to the
melodic electric guitars and the modest drums, you just say to
yourself: "it was a privilege for us to have such a great record to
wholeheartedly listen". This record was like a model, it was truly
appreciated since we were beginning to meet girls. It was not rare to
notice many garage bands try to play their songs. In order of
comparison, let's mention the prog band Pallas sounds a bit like them.
All the instruments on Alpha form a solid ensemble, and you just listen
to the music as a whole. One may qualify this album as being accessible,
and the songs are not extremely progressive. The music is rather
simple, barely progressive, and definitely not complex.
Rating: 4.5 stars
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Posted Thursday, April 08, 2004
Le Mariage du Ciel et de l'Énfer
Review by
../Collaborators.asp?id=9980" rel="nofollow - Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
../Collaborators.asp?id=9980" rel="nofollow">
4.5 stars.This was released as a double album back in 1985,and was the
music for Roland Petit's ballet called "The Marriage Of
Heaven And Hell".It's hard to believe this was used as music for a
ballet,although Petit was known for his theatrical productions.He
apparently saw ART ZOYD on television and so contacted them about doing
this.I must say i feel very fortunate to have this cd as it
is the last of their chamber music period before they went heavily into
electronics.This is the only one of their early period that is not
out of print yet,and it's one of their best.I got my copy at "Wayside
Music".What's it sound like ? Well my favourite place to listen to
music is in my truck on my hour drive to and from work. I listen to the
longer cds like this on my way home because i can take my time
and go the long way.I've been listening to this all week at work and one
customer gave me a hard time about it,saying i should have
Christmas music on instead of this depressing stuff,i decided to let him
live.So tonight on the way home in the dark i had a careful
listen to this recording.The closest reference in my opinion is UNIVERS
ZERO,in that this is very intense and dark.This is more
minimilstic and experimental but every bit as good,in fact i like it
better than UNIVERS ZERO's early works.
"Sortie 134(Part 1)" opens with a lot of tension as dual piano melodies
and trumpet lead the way before it calms down and we can
hear children laughing.Some violin and piano before a full sound comes
back 3 minutes in that comes and goes.A change before 6
minutes as we get lots of percussion and piano.Vocal melodies before 8
minutes.This is intense!Great track ! It ends with children
laughing again as it blends into "Cryogenese(Reve Artificiel)".The sound
of a metronome ticking can be heard as trumpet blasts and
piano comes in.A change 3 minutes in as the metronome stops and the
trumpet and piano continue.Again this is so intense.Another
change 5 minutes in as metronome returns with piano.I'm reminded of
UNIVERS ZERO 6 1/2 minutes in.Trumpet a minute
later.Actually an outbreak of trumpet 9 1/2 minutes in goes on for a
minute.It becomes so intense and unrelenting.Another change
14 1/2 minutes in as some strange sounds replace the trumpet.Sounds like
synths 16 1/2 minutes in as the piano stops.What a ride
that was. "Io 1" features sax melodies that are at time dissonant. "Io
2" is eerie and haunting.A cool rhythm with sax comes in that
stops and starts.I like this one. "Io 3" opens with almost a pulsating
sound as violin comes in.It stops and then continues but this time
piano is added.It stops again and restarts.This part is kind of
spooky.Vocal melodies join 4 minutes in. "Mouvance 2" incorporates
these wonderful piano melodies.A full sound before 3 minutes. "Mouvance
1" features more piano but it's more aggressive.Trumpet
comes in tastefully as we again have two pianos being played.The
intensity is removed as the song settles down.Violin comes in as
piano quietly plays on. "Cryogenese(Les Portes Du Futur)" opens with
outbursts of piano.Percussion comes and goes.Organ and
trumpet 1 1/2 minutes in.The outbreaks come back.Violin 3 1/2 minutes
in.Vocal sounds.Metronome comes in.Organ 7 minutes in.The
rest of the song is fantastic ! One of the best part of the album.It has
more of a melody with trumpet blasts,piano and organ. "Sortie
134(Part 2)" has a good beat, and the children laughing are back.Vocal
melodies and speaking as well.Great ending to this album.
When i finished listening to this i thought to myself "Was that just a
bad dream i had ?" ART ZOYD have just been put near the top of
my favourite Rio-prog band list.Get this record !!
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Posted Wednesday, December 19, 2007
ASIA - ASTRA
Review by
../Collaborators.asp?id=12633" rel="nofollow - Gooner
PROG REVIEWER
../Collaborators.asp?id=12633" rel="nofollow">
I get a kick out of some reviewers saying ASIA went *too commercial* on their excellent _Astra_ album in
1985. This is an underrated gem with some really great hard rock songs and fine ballads. Too
commercial? ASIA were commercial...isn't that a no brainer? But, what we have here is a solid album -
even without the great Steve Howe playing guitar. This is mostly a trio album by Wetton, Downes &
Palmer with Mandy Meyer(of Krokus) contributing his guitar colourings and rhythms. Palmer plays it solid
behind the kit, nothing too flashy but drives the opener _Go_. _Voice Of America_ has some excellent
vocals, some of the best ASIA harmonies put on tape. If you enjoy John Wetton's voice, this is some his
best singing, especially the closer _After The War_. 1985 was a pretty depressing year for music, really.
I mean, Twisted Sister were the hit and Poison were just about to let loose in destroying the ozone layer
and the airwaves with their acid washed jeans and hairspray ditties. Let's keep things in perspective. If
this were released today with the compressed hot mic world of Britneys and Beyonces, this would stick out
like a sore thumb on the airwaves. Critics would rave at its harmonies and driving hard rock and it might
even make the top 10. ASIA's _Astra_ was ahead of its time and pretty much an album on an island in
1985, right up there was Rush's Power Windows and would appeal the fans of neo prog bands like PALLAS,
PENDRAGON and CASTANARC. ASIA's _Astra_ rocks as hard(maybe harder) as the debut, but doesn't
get quite as sappy as _Alpha_. It sounds almost as though it were their follow-up to the debut. I surmise
this album didn't get the attention it deserved because there was no tour to support it. That's too bad
because they could've done a smash up job with a one-two punch on a live bill with Saga, Rush or
Marillion. Ignore the one star ratings here. ASIA's _Astra_ should at least garner 2 stars at its worst, and
3.5 to 4 stars at its best making it a *good* album. Worth another try if you missed it the first time around.
_Astra_would also appeal to fans of the Joe Lynn Turner-era of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and Midge
Ure-era Ultravox. Can you call ASIA's _Astra_ prog.rock? Not likely. But it's a great fusion of hard rock
and New Wave. That in itself make this release *progressive* and a fine addition to any listener's
collection with an open mind and appreciation for solid songcraft
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Posted Monday, January 05, 2009
Triceratopsoil wrote:
What a stellar line up and what a great debut for Asia. How best t to describe the
music on this album? I'd say prog lite AOR, showing that a British band can do it better
than the template made by famous American AOR bands like Boston etc.