EAU | FEU

GRANDVAL is the project of Henri VAUGRAND bassist from the age of 14 assisted by Olivier BONNEAU. In 2016, he released his 1st album on a strong frame à la ANGE, MONA LISA and the eternal PINK FLOYD; he offers here his 3rd album bringing French rock-pop atmospheres; indie, crossover, French poetic folk music; a sound alternating musical adventure like his region of origin with volcanic eruptions; melodic rock where slightly melancholy instrumental parts intertwine with targeted lyrics. Album fortified by the backbone of guitars and drums of members of NEMO.

"Ferimur" on a padded interlude start, soft sound on a MANSET tune, catchy melody followed by "Les jours innocents" on a text about... the innocence of adolescence, repetitive drums in the back, vague genre pouring out on a pebble beach; the old school French break with synth and guitar solo associated with a prog pop rock. "It's Still Snowing" with a catchy pop tune, a story about the loneliness of encroaching old age; a bit of THE CURE on the dark wave melody level; intimate a cappella break, sound on ANGE before and enjoyable solo at the end spleen. "Heinrich (A Strange World)" for the great angelic track, always very calm, soft, relaxing, maybe too much; bass break à la SQUIRE, acoustic reverberation, keyboard worthy of the 70's to dive back into this prolific period, JPL's touch a little on the nursery rhymes of GENESIS, title used in fact before coming back up for a redundant and frenzied vocal finale.

"Maples and oaks" on a pop tune that was on the radio in the 80s, very padded I will not say more; monolithic title, intervention of an interesting spleen guitar; it starts with an obvious vintage prog rock declination where the bass is there; jazzy break at this time with a keyboard of the same obedience allowing to move away from the original sound; final on a tune reminding me of the great very melodic ALAN PARSONS. "Aqua et igni" a committed text on migrants and other exiles, when Ukraine is invaded, it causes even more; well, let's stay with the criticism and don't evaporate. A chorus on two voices then it starts again with the contribution of the dark synth which adds to the musical distress. Jovial rhythmic synth break giving a little hope, the best moment of the album in my opinion, the vibrating guitar here. "Endgame" to an even slower, monolithic tempo, to give more room to vocals; melodic classic prog retro rock fortunately interspersed with a thunderous break where the energy squirts; the finale features Henri with an interesting progressive progression followed by a reverberating spleen guitar, a bit on THE GATHERING yes!, Jean-Baptiste's drums also adding; quick ending?. It's over, it's over!

GRANDVAL ends their trilogy with this 'eau | fire' bathed in certified regressive atmospheres, all tinkered with imaginative energetic breaks. The melodies follow one another offering a proven melancholic sound flirting with pop, new wave with the contribution of the hinge of the old NEMO for a sound from before; music to listen to by the fireside while waiting for night to set in. A singular album which can therefore shock given the current context and avoid having a pleasant rest with these committed texts, an album which raises questions. A 3 since some don't understand the ranking!