LES PORCHES

The centerpiece of this jazz-heavy, lightly classically-influenced, album is the lengthy opening track, "Les Porches De Notre Dame", which alone makes the album worth buying. Meandering at first, the song develops very gradually. But by several minutes in, it starts to sink in and the music begins to engage, wrap around and embrace you. At a certain point, it'll seem hard to believe that music can get any more beautiful. But sure enough, it does. After a brief French vocal, the suite erupts into a romantic powerhouse of a song, providing a stunning canvas for emotive, yet thoughtful, interplay by the group. Wow!

The songs that follow it up are not quite to the same standard, but are all still excellent tracks. One song that may go overlooked by most listeners is the brief "La Grosse Torche". While some may be quick to label it as an interlude or filler, it's hard not to love this song for how authentically Quebecois it is. I can't help but picture a vibrant palette of autumn leaves in the Laurentians giving way to an inviting fireside as December's first snow falls outside. Definitely a personal favourite.

Perhaps this album's sole flaw is the track order. I personally would have made "Les Porches" the closer, but the beauty of modern digital formats is that you have the liberty to pick and choose track listings, so I won't hold anything against Maneige for that. Everything considered, I would not hesitate to give this beautiful work of art a 5-star rating. A true masterpiece for lovers of romantic music.

Share this MANEIGE review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Magnum Vaeltaja
• Report this review (#1552281)
• Buy MANEIGE music online with PA partners
• Show all MANEIGE MP3/Stream
• Go to MANEIGE page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Les Porches page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for MANEIGE related discussions