BERLIN

4.5 stars. Gerard Hourbette and Thierry Zaboitzeff share in the creation of these songs fairly evenly as usual.Three of the four members play keyboards, we also get lots of percussion, cello, violin and piano.Yes the electronics are starting to become prominant in ART ZOYD's sound at this point in their carreers (1987). Some sampling in this one too. There are two 20 minute tracks as well as five shorter ones. This is quite dark at times although it's nothing compared to "Nosferatu" the next album from them.

The 20 minute "Epithalame" opens the proceedings.This is fast paced with piano, sax and percussion standing out. It settles before 3 minutes but kicks back in quickly. It starts to unwind until all you hear is piano before 6 minutes. Another piano comes in as they play together fairly slowly. It eventually it starts to build again before 9 minutes. So cool ! Sax 11 minutes in. It settles down 13 minutes in as organ and heavy drums come in. Piano and sax 16 minutes in. Great sound a minute later. Drums are back. "Baboon's Blood" has this catchy almost industrial beat. Drums and strings join in followed by rough theatrical vocals. He's laughing at times. "Petite Messe A L'usage Des Pharmaciens(Offertoire)" opens with electronics and other sounds that come and go. Bells and sax included. "Petite Messe A L'usage Des Pharmaciens (Kyrie)" opens with keyboard sounds as piano joins in. A haunting atmosphere comes and goes. Amazing soundscape here. Vocal sounds 2 1/2 minutes in.

"A Drum, A Drum" is the other 20 minute track. This one is an unreal ride into the unknown. A dark atmosphere as a beat and vocals pulse until it stops before 3 minutes. An eerie mood takes over. It sounds like a plague if that makes any sense. A new beat then comes and goes. Vocals 4 1/2 minutes in. Weird samples come and go too. A change 8 minutes in and drums follow. Keys followed by vocals and cello / violin. Another change after 13 minutes as spoken vocals come in. Check out the heavy beat with bass 14 1/2 minutes in. A heavier beat is back 16 minutes in. Violin and cello are joined by vocals. It's haunting late followed by keyboards. "Petite Messe A L'usage Des Pharmaciens (Introit)" features these water sounds throughout. Synths, percussion, vocal melodies and samples come in. "Unisex Me Here" is led by cello and violin. The vocals before 2 minutes are well done. Organ and sax help out. I like it !

No question about the 4.5 star rating on this one, in fact this is right near the top of my favourite ART ZOYD albums.

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