LAURENCE VANAY ‎(GALAXIES)

Galaxies is Laurence Vanay's (Jacqueline Carbon/Thibault) debut album, unlike her second album this time it features Laurent Thibault (husband) on bass. In addition to Jacqueline handling organ duties this time she also sings, and very good if I might add. The album and overall Jacqueline's style is quite varied coming with different sounds, different textures and different kind of songs, but it's always very melodic and easy, even in the more sinister moments. There's 32 minutes of music divided into 10 songs which ranges from acoustic soft ballads to calm tranquil songs with a fuller instrumentation to edgy sinister disturbing prog tunes. The soft ballads are done with acoustic guitars and an occasionally flute, organ or vocals. Although this is mainly a calm and pastoral album there's also an intense side to Vanay's song writing, and it shows on a few edgy songs with almost Zehulic kind of intensity, while still maintaining the melodic guideline. That mix of styles works very well and is why she is regarded as eclectic prog, although I can say this is just slightly progressive, due to its variation. It's hard to resist a beautiful melodic song and the songs are beautiful indeed but there's nothing more to it. Some of the songs are good but the rest although never bad just doesn't excite me too much. The occasional instrumental moments doesn't soar and are staying fairly on the surface, they seem to hit all the right buttons but not a lot is happening. The melodies and themes are beautiful, some of them are good but nothing is realy amazing. Although I can easily enjoy calm and soft songs this time the rockier songs work best, Galaxies, the closing track, is a good example of an interesting organ work on an upbeat and disturbing rhythm. There are no clear solos here, although the flute and keys are filling the songs. Vany's organs sounds great and vintagy, there's is nothing to be impressed technically and nor am I looking for it, but she is trying to keep it simple and nice with beautiful ethereal chords and all kinds of melodic noodling. I can't say the album doesn't have its charm and some of it is also quite romantic with an almost trippy atmosphere, I think it could have turned out to be a real stunner having the right musicians on board.

I definitley prefer her next album Evening Colours where the songs are much more interesting a little more progressive and overall are just better. 2.5 stars really, a two star rating seems a little too harsh and not quite fitting so it just barely acquires the third star. Nice work.