PATIENCE

The beginning of this record has an ethereal mood that invites for an introspective audition. The organic mixture of soft psychedelic sounds, bird songs and a gentle beat brings an exotic and intriguing sound to this part of the album. More energy is gradually and ocasionally added some points forward, on second track. Some snippets are very inspired, combining symphonic prog with some moderate and low-toned good new age tunes. But the way the group tries to get ecletic on the same track sometimes evolves into some confusing interplays and changes of rythym.

The third track compensates this widely. It's a strong, well structured and memorable composition. Bass playing is so powerful, the rythym sections are suprising, and violin is incredibly fluid.

Next track is a free interpretation of Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre. This composition has an amazing tune. Besides this benefit, Clement added some very consistent, inteligent and even funny vocal harmonies and instrumentation. With that, he is also including playful aspects to this piece of classical music. Some tracks are sung in english, this is the only one that's performed in french.

Looks to me that 5th track is the first of what could be considered side B of the album. It i s also the initiation of the entirely instrumental suíte called Patience. I'll analyse it as a whole. First of all, it doesn't hold as a suíte: each part really seems to be destinated for a bigger song, but the musical connections between them weren't well structured nor harmonized. And its beginning is a bit saltless. Indeed, the last part would fit better, at least musically, as the first. Nevertheless, there are some great chord harmonies, interplays between piano and other instruments, among other splendid occasions, but I consider the suíte the weakest part of this release.

Last track, the 10th, doesn't belong to the suíte. It's beat has a very soft and enveloping electronic mood, but it's not electronic prog. Violin brilliantly catches up with the tune, before a pompous group of other chords complement with some energy.

The album is splendid, and tracks 3, 4, 9 and 10 are specially outstanding. I give this record a 4.2 stars.