EN REGARDANT PASSER LE TEMPS

Having started as early as 69 in Nice (alongside the Italian border), Carpe Diem's two albums rank as gems in the French symphonic sound, even if they never were innovative (by the release of their debut in 76, the genre was more or less set) or particularly original, they are angular pieces of the genre.

While some people always see Carpe Diem as a semi-Genesis-Camel clone, it is much closer to the truth to compare them to fellow French groups like Pulsar, Atoll, Ange, with an added avant-prog flavor. Certainly there are some similarities to the British groups mentioned, but they have that distinct and unmistakable French symphonic style (but with a slight jazz touch as well), but the very present wind instruments and few vocal passages provide its own character.

After a short Voyage, the rest of the tracks are made or 10-min tracks or more. While the modest allocation time for vocals allowed for some superb instrument interplay, I must say that all three remaining tracks appear interchangeable and none are standing out as extraordinary. Competent, professional, at times exciting, in others a bit too derivative, it seems that Jeux Du Siecle is probably their most complex track on the album, but also my fave. Publiphobie is again another good moment, but as usual, Carpe Diem does not manage to get to the next level: the sublime one.

While finding nothing wrong with Carpe Diem (as opposed to finding easily flaws to Pulsar or Mona Lisa), I also find it hard to really get enthused/enthralled by their music: it just does not push the right button for me. Clearly by the end of the record, you are a bit relieved that it has stopped: the constant bombardment of their uniform sound can get a bit tiresome, a fault I think due to the production. Nevertheless, for all symphonic rock fans, if not essential, Carpe Diem is certainly there to thicken honestly your collection.

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