PLAYING HOUSE

Meer is a group created in 2008 now composed of eight musicians: two voices, a violin, a viola, a piano, a guitar, a bass and a drums. This is their 3rd album which gives in orchestral pop, chamber music, progressive rock. Polyphonic voices, choirs, sublime string chords, alternative dream prog, as I have read, which risks flooding you with its sidereal beauty. I am thinking in bulk of Frequency Drift, The Dear Hunter, Keane, Leprous, Muse and The Beatles, musical melting pot or musical bomb? "Picking Up the Pieces" for inventive and rhythmic pop, musical and alternative progression, solo and choral voices. "Beehive" intro à la Joe Jackson, Bjork in musical background for the voice and the inventiveness, musical beauty with an introspective Wilsonian drawer, a little Kayak too; what makes me wonder is where does this sound come from that reminds me of a synth, magic! "All at Sea" and "Songs of Us" linked together, for unstoppable melodies, acoustic guitar, violin, the Beatles bouquet in the background. "Child" and a musical-verbal phrasing à la XTC, an inventive delight; "You were a Drum" with a violin à la Ponty, female voice in jerks then in crescendo, immense jewel, innovation at its height. For the moment, it is the record of the year due to its musical openness and the variety of very elaborate and unique compositions. "Honey" for a synth... an 80's bass like OMD with a feminine Leprous voice, redundant sound and echo, choirs, the enchantment continues on a latency on the piano and "synth". "Across the Ocean" for the suite in declension with male voice and this magical violin, catchy tune in mind. "She Goes" or the reincarnation of Leprous in symphonic, more pop, overwhelming by the association of voices with classical instruments at the limit of metal. "Where do We Go from Here" and this introspective spleen, reverberation of the guitar, softness of the intimate voice. "Lay it Down" piano, polyphonic voices, violins, Genesis passing by, Oldfield, viola for a caviar finale and sound beyond prog. "Here I Go Again" (Whitesnake cover) on the vinyl as a bonus track for the less successful title, trying to seduce us with a cover of a large dino but not needing it, note the association violin and Johanne's precise voice. Meer does the grand in pop, orchestral, classical, alternative and progressive. The mutation is underway between catchy melodies and sublime harmonies; Meer created a unique sound that will be remembered; a UFO from the beginning of the year.