POETICA IN SILENTIO

Recorded in 96 (on a 4-track and no overdub in just one day) and only getting a CD release four years later (I think the album existed in Cassette during that time), this stunning debut album is definitely The Netherland's best kept secret and how it manages to remain so, is one of life's great mysteries, for it is not that the music is unremarkable quite on the contrary. And even then two tracks come from 94 and another from 93. So this album finally got its first Cd release at the same time than their next EP, and this was at the occasion of my Prog-Resiste buddies' festival (or Convention as they call it). And from the eight group of the line-up Poetica In Silentio was the big surprise (well not that much for they had previously played a gig with Belgian band Globalys in the frame of that same organization.

The music develop here is rather difficult to describe other than Art Rock, because while they are constantly changing tempo and climates and have a very wide spectrum. Even describing them by naming groups remains uncertain and unsure of proper guidance, but if Crimson meeting a serious 10CC or Miriodor can give you a hint or better yet the very excellent Burma Shave (also Dutch), all the more to you. The fact that this album was recorded without overdubs in just one day makes the perfection of this album even more impressive. While the texts are in English (bar one track sung in Dutch) can be somewhat silly (in a Canterbury way), the pronunciation is flawless, and Moerbeek's voice is amazingly smooth but far from unremarkable. Prummel's violin provides many breaks (and the fact that she's cute is no wasted either), while guitarist Haeyen often jumps from guitars to flutes for added entertainment. Often the group engages in sombre but haunting moments that are often succeeded by heavy guitars, Camouflage being riveting you to your seat.

Not all tracks are equally interesting but there are no dull moments: just as you thought that the Bee was going to let you down, there is a strong guitar riff to sting you back to life. One of the small complaints I have is about the songwriting which seems to be sometimes forgetting even the more basic rule: you constantly have to check on which track you are because the songs are not only irregular, but the frequent stop-and-gos are disturbing. And just in case you're wondering where are the tracks 11 to 17, they are there, but let's face it they managed to pull another very sympathetic trick bound to make you smile. And strangely enough the more interesting tracks (IMHO) are the ones recorded in 94, L'Organ D'Haine and De Dood and the hidden track Promised Lie.

While I would not call this album a masterpiece, I am not far from thinking that it could be the best coming out of the Netherlands in the last three decades (along with Burma Shave's debut, once the Dutch legendary groups started waning. Not easily found, but if you do, jump on it and just wonder how these guys still are complete unknown a decade later.