(4603 BATTEMENTS)

(4603 BATTEMENTS) is the 5th album from excellent French outfit Lazuli. The band is currently composed of Dominique Leonetti (vocals, guitar), Claude Leonetti (léode - an instrument designed by Leonetti himself and described on the band's website as an "improbable mix of a guitar, a synthesizer and a melodic saw"), Gederic Byar (guitar) and new members Romain Thorel (keyboards) and Vincent Barnavol (drums).

The album contains a convincing mix of acoustic and electric rock, with a decided predilection for melody and atmosphere over complexity and technicism. The clever combination of samples and synths with a more traditional use of acoustic guitars and orchestration makes the music sound fresh and modern while remaining within the boundaries of melodic rock tradition. Claude's use of the léode greatly contributes to create a unique sound for the band, which makes Lazuli stand out relative to other outfits proposing a similar blend of eclectic prog rock (indeed it was an airplay of the song "Je Te Laisse Ce Monde" with its fantastic léode solo that first caught my attention and encouraged me to find out more about this band). It is exactly the screaming sound of the léode, as well as the use of a brooding guitar sound and heartfelt vocals, that manage to infuse all songs with a melancholic but sinister atmosphere which brings to mind the latest Porcupine Tree or Norwegian electro-dark band Manes (although they do sound quite different from both bands). Some listeners might be put off by the fact that the lyrics are in French. In my opinion the use of French also contributes to the distinctiveness of the sound offered by the band. Moreover, the music alone is more than successful in conveying the moods and atmosphere.

Personal highlights of the album are the aforementioned Je Te Laisse Ce Monde, the more intimate Le Miroir aux Alouettes, the fantastic Les Malveillants with its catchy chorus, and the trippy Saleté de Nuit (great vocal performance by Dominique Leonetti here). But all songs on the album are consistently good, and the album as a whole is a very mature effort.

Highly recommended!

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