ALMANACH

While I may have trouble appreciating this French Folk band, this particular album went gold for them in their own country. So yes they gained some popularity with their take on traditional music. Male and female vocals with lots of acoustic guitar and violin is what is served here.

The first track is a short intro of male and female vocals while the native sounding drums beat slowly. "Quand J'Etais Chez Mon Pere" continues with the male and female vocals while the guitar helps out. Violin before 1 1/2 minutes with male vocals only. "Margot" is a short multi- vocal track. "Les Tristes Noces" is the first song that I really enjoy, especially when the tempo picks up before 2 minutes when the violin joins in. My favourite though is "Voice La Saint Jean" with the great sounding guitar along with vocals and violin.

"Le Luneaux" sounds excellent early as we get this pastoral mood with guitar. Female vocals follow. "Brance De La Haie" is more upbeat and brighter. It's interesting how melancholic this album is. That may have to do with the abundance of reserved vocals and violin.

So a good album that I wish I liked better, but then again the Folk-Prog genre is very hit and miss for me, mostly the latter.