SI ON AVAIT BESOIN D'UNE CINQUI�ME SAISON

Harmonium

Prog Folk

4.35 | 1474 ratings

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Bern

This is where Harmonium begins to develop their progressive side. They evolved from a promising folk band into a band producing magical progressive music.

This album's title which means �If we needed a fifth season� has five songs, one representing each of the seasons. The songs represent their seasons perfectly but it's a case of double symbolism here. The deeper and more important significance lies in the history of Qu�bec. This album is kind of a concept album about Qu�bec's political situation in the seventies. In Qu�bec, there has been an independant movement since the seventies and this album talks about this when it was at his peak. I won't go deep into the history lessons but the lyrics in Si on avait besoin d'une cinqui�me saison are definitely excellent. I know that for a lot of people here, the lyrics are not important in a prog CD but I thought I'd take some time to say how great they are. On with the music now!

Just like their debut, the album is drums-less. A lot of instruments were added this time though : flutes, clarinet, piano, saxophones and the prog-fan favorite, the Mellotron. All the tracks are really different so I think I'll go track by track.

Vert: Excellent opener with a beautiful flute intro (though the flute continues to be great in the rest of the song) followed by the always amazing singing of Harmonium. After 30 seconds of this song, you know that the band came up with something really different from their debut. The emotion and depth of the music is more intense. Notice the incredible vocal harmonies near the end of the song.

Dixie: This is the most poppy song on the album but it is definitely great anyway. Representing summer, this song is extra-cheerful and rythmic. It's ironic that this album features no drums because this is one of the most rythmic song I've heard. It makes you want to clap your ends. Incredible solos from both clarinet and piano in this song.

Depuis l'automne: This is my second favorite song on the album. It starts slowly to finally reach a very intense climax. Again and as always with Harmonium, the vocal harmonies are an important part of the song. In the middle of the song, we get a magical guitar solo to the sound of mellotrons. After that solo, the intensity rises and it becomes so... perfect.

En pleine face: Easily the saddest song in here. The kind of song that brings tears to your eyes. Beautiful again. Accordion is showcased at the end of the song. I'll cut this one short because the follower is so great.

Histoire sans paroles: This is the best song on the album and one of the songs in my top 20 ever. You can call this song an epic because it tops 17 minutes. Those minutes seem so short. I just can't describe how much I like this one. Mellotrons, flutes, guitars, vocal harmonies, magic... This is one amazing track...

Finally, as you can tell, I love this album and it is without doubt that I rate it 5 stars. Congratulations!

-Bern

Bern | 5/5 | 2006-5-10

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