GHOSTS & MEMORIES

So here is the latest album from French group The Black Noodle Project, one that sees them stay firmly in the realm of Pink Floyd, yet becoming more atmospheric, and at times darker and heavier, than previously. I have been in contact with these guys since the very first release, and the more I listen to them the more I enjoy what they are doing. Some may argue that when one is so heavily influenced by another group then that questions the very validity of what they are doing themselves, but there are many within the genre that have a similar approach, and as long as the band are attempting their own style within the field of influence then I don't have a major issue with it. Yes, there are passages within 'Ghosts' that could have come from 'Dark Side' and these do seem a little close to the mark, but generally this is another fine album from a band who are consistently releasing strong albums.

The vocals have taken more of a back seat with this release, with an emphasis on the atmosphere and overall feel and the vocals become part of that as opposed to being an important presence: they are just another instrument to be used. In many ways this is a hard album to judge, as if I was not aware of anything that had been released by Pink Floyd then I would be hailing this as a masterpiece, particularly with songs such as the brooding and oppressive 'A Purple Memory'. But, given that I, like many progheads, own all of Pink Floyd's releases I have to gauge this in relation to those. Conversely, I also need to factor in just how much I have enjoyed playing this as opposed to who may have been an important influence on what they are doing. Simply put, if you enjoy the style of mid-Seventies Pink Floyd and you don't worry that it isn't been performed by the boys themselves then this is essential. Nothing more or less.