COSMIC VARIATIONS

VERY DISCO?. oops sorry, DISCO VERY! Been reading text right to left lately, I guess. Yes, what a discovery this French multi-instrumentalist one-man show, owner of a whopping 18 album solo discography since 2002. Pretty impressive to say the least. Obviously, Xavier is talented but also prolific and very focused, with no "writer's block" of any kind. While the quantity is there, the quality seems to be constant as well, even though there are stylistic variations along the road. A big thank you to Anne Claire of Bad Dog Promotions in getting his latest opus into my hands, a request that I rarely deny (unless the artist is not my cup of tea, as I hate doing negative reviews, being more a fan and supporter of our prog genre and not a dismissive critic).

'Cosmic Variations' is the title and its an instrumental tour de force that defines modern prog music in 2022. As mentioned previously, Xavier plays all the instruments himself, being an excellent guitarist, a deft bass player, adding keyboards where necessary and manning a drum kit with effective thuds. As a rule, I always search out and follow the bass guitar within any new artist or album, for my ears to hop on the musical box and get a feel for the overall material. The set list is interesting in that long pieces (3-to 7 minute), all being basic variations of a same style, that alternate with gentler, at times ambient (1-2 minute) intermezzi, all variants of 'Echo', giving it an aural equivalent texture like a mille feuilles in pastry. Layers upon layers of crunch and cream, mes amis.

The blustery "Sea Serpent" is an exciting opener where all his musical ingredients coalesce into one, elegant fretless bass swells pushing the cresting riffs around, percussive whitecaps to add some nautical drama and some searing guitar lines that underline the melody. Epic, bombastic, and stormy contrasts abound, very much like a soundtrack for an uncertain oceanic journey, an escapade for the mind. Convincing beginning. After the brief serenity of "Echo1", the naval adventure persists with the "Compass on Argonauts Ship" , another fluid romp at breakneck velocity with all the required contrasts, showing off some tremendous soloing, propulsive bass in the undertow, as well as roaringly heavy drum patterns. Xavier can certainly play intense. Ouf! This pattern is now set for the rest of the album quite clearly as the obsessive "Reticulum" hints at the same dense, heavy and bold arrangements, interspersed with lighter glimmers of sound amid the fury. But when Xavier goes crazy, its crazy! His lead playing is lightning quick, thunderous rhythm riffs, rotund bass, as well as adding the effects board options where needed.

I mean I can go on, but you get the message by now. There are no vocals to appreciate or criticize, no soppy ballads, just a well- thought out structured instrumental album, 49 minutes of muscular and appeasing flips of passionate music that will provide enough background entertainment while going about one's day as well as a companion for the armchair /earphones duet. Definitely with checking out in view of the talent, the style and the material on display here. Give it a try.

4 Interplanetary Alterations

Xavier BOSCHER is a French musician, artist from Nice, who has played everything since 1995; he appeared on MISANTHROPE, a great reference, then formed the more intimate NEBELUYES before releasing his 18th solo album this year, you read that right, in a 6-string instrumental prog metal rock vein. A nervous and intimate album with a new-age coulis through the 'Echo' interludes varied in layers; an astral, cosmic journey. Harmony in redundancy on a theme taking up in different tones the story of a recent disappointed love.

"Sea Serpent" big metronomic riff at the start, air setting the tone between prog metal rigor and the desire to take off further, near the stars? A mixture of rolling fretless, rumbling whitecaps and other methods to bring us to an abyssal terrain of discovery, a title that flows very slowly stopping time with a solemn, lethargic air. "Echo 1" 1st of six interludes for a moment of serenity, cosmic-hovering interlude with incisive stressful notes to keep you alert and bring you to "Compass on Argonauts Ships" on a tune reminding me of KING CRIMSON; it then scrolls suddenly, it unravels on the side of the score for a moving tune, filled with warmth and fluidity; we are in the air, in the submarine behind the porthole, we especially feel the evolutions of Xavier metal proguous before the hour.

Crystalline "Echo 2" where the ethereal fresh interlude in declination. "Reticulum" with an interlude moment and nag title boosted by a suave melody; here it's dark and doom, it's obsessive, heady and interspersed with a soaring SERRA-like bass that blows hot and cold; the soli follow one another closer to a SATRIANI than to a VAI for its colorful dimension; a title that does not run out of steam leading to "Echo 3" declination on a varied tempo depending on its appearance, let yourself be invaded.

"Denebola" on the same obsessive, nervous tune, quickly associated with the vibrant and reverberating notes of this more melancholy, wiser title. An ode to the guitar with a djent bass in the finale, a piece that evolves over time. "Echo 4" with almost 2 minutes, time to imagine a little more and it fades, time to wait "Pleione", short and rhythmic, basic, title for a handbanging from behind the bundles then notes s cascading, a little difference in continuity. "Echo 5" when I finally remember the reference title of my meager musical culture...

'Music For A Nurse' by OCEANSIZE, yes, a reminiscence but it's mine. "Astrophel" on an air worked by the drums, the plaintive guitar notes, the atmospheric breaks bordering on New Age, one does not easily erase one's roots; the solo still seems to flow, oozing from a gradual crack beyond the ether. "Echo 6" and the last ambient intermezzo, a musical layer stacked like a hot dog with several sausages, a millefeuille dripping with cream. "Stellan" for the final, genre radio remix edit.

Xavier BOSCHER therefore releases an instrumental opus showing a beautifully crafted musical skill. Nervous metal riffs, varied solos that set off on different atmospheres and a vibrant bass to amplify the effect. A nervous and harmonic sound, a sound interspersed with 'Echo' to entertain the ear and avoid having an overly repetitive rendering, a sound to help you rest after a grueling day in the background or on headphones and up in the upper atmospheric strata.

I seem to have lost count, not literally, but figuratively speaking. We're talking about French guitarist and multi- instrumentalist Xavier Boscher, a musician who specializes in creating progressive rock and metal. I have rarely encountered such a workaholic as him.

His creative life mainly revolves around guitars and other instruments, studios and bands, numerous friendships in the scene, his numerous solo projects, collaborative efforts and not least, his many guest roles. In addition to all that, he also writes poetry and creates paintings. His output definitely deserves a place in the Guinness Book of Records. Although I fear that will never happen. Nevertheless, his website showcases impressive figures. Now, let's get to the practical side of things.

At the time I received his latest album, "Cosmic Variations", for review, it was already his sixteenth solo work. Once again, it's a fine display of instrumental prowess. I set aside the album for a moment, but when I finally found the time for it, I discovered that the successor had already been released. Mr. Boscher certainly moves fast. I have been following him for years and I can reliably state that the quality of his work no longer suffers due to quantity. In the past, he tended to linger on certain themes, but on "Cosmic Variations", everything appears to be compositionally impeccable and the execution is absolutely fantastic.

One thing Boscher does exceptionally well is inserting calm interludes in the midst of his heavy music, only to pick up the pace again. The soaring tones of the fretless bass guitar in the captivating opener, Sea Serpent, are exactly what you want. The melodic guitar playing here is also a treat, as Boscher knows how to hit the right notes.

"Cosmic Variations" (it seems unnecessary to mention the theme of this album) consists of thirteen tracks, namely seven full ones and six ambient interludes. Under the name Echo, Boscher presents six ambient pieces with fuzzy keyboards and spacious guitars. These dreamy interludes prepare you for what's to come.

With Compass On Argonauts Ship, Boscher continues the excellent line set by the opener. It is filled with tempo and mood changes that the programmed drums effortlessly guide you through. Like a true space navigator, they chart their course and are nearly indistinguishable from real drums. The half-open hi-hat sounds particularly natural. Furthermore, virtuosic bass riffs and supportive keyboard parts lay the foundation for this track and practically all others.

With Reticulum, Denebola, Pleione, Astrophel and the closing track Stellan Boscher takes us on a journey among the stars. Especially Denebola stands out. You see, it's evident in every track that Boscher is a superb guitarist, but what he demonstrates in Denebola is in a league of its own. Beautifully layered, wonderfully harmonized, exquisite tonal choices, delightful scales with a great sense of rhythm, all played with a passionate touch.

There are a few passages on the album that are a bit too intense for my taste, moments when a quick two-four time or something similar takes over. I'm referring to Pleione and Stellan. The latter is undoubtedly a fast-paced affair, which suits a finale quite well. It sounds majestic.

"Cosmic Variations" is the work of a man who knows what he wants and seems to effortlessly achieve it. Don't assume that Xavier Boscher is on friendly terms with the autopilot. This quick-witted, bald man who loves heavy music is a pioneer in his own idiom, a genre he deeply cares about.

Orginally posted on www.progenrock.com