ALAMBIC

"Si loin... d'ici" is a slow-paced song, with a discreet rhodes and some vocal shifts in the repeated words "si loin" and echo effects to mirror the title ("so far...from here"). Some cosmic keyboard touches can be witnessed in the chorus as well. After the second chorus, a piano joins the backing rhodes for a short solo. Overall, a cheerful melodic song.

"Seul le coeur compte" is a song reminiscent of the western-flavoured pop of Daniel Lanois. This time, guitar assists the rhodes in the chorus. Guitar tone reminds the Edge of U2, and the parallel with the folk/western songs on 'Unforgettable Fire' and 'Joshuah Tree' (which saw the collaboration of Daniel Lanois, and the loop is closed!) is not exaggerated.

In "Malobiannah", reverberating guitar with light drum chops echo H-era Marillion's elegant music, rhodes are still present.

"Dans les Appalaches" is a lullaby with an "aquatic" vibe, as if the listener was lulled by the waves of the sea. The guitar and rhodes contribute a lot to the craddling effect of the song.

"Qu'un jeu" is a song of the opposites, where the hesitating rhythms that support the verses (the fortune that I sense...) contrast with the confident straightforward music of the chorus and its lyrics ("I know that I will come back from far away"). Sheryl Crow influence transpires in the chorus (Claire's voice intonation, the guitar work and the drums/percussion play).

"Big Jack (C'est mardi gras)" is a tribute to the music of the New Orleans. Polyrhythmic drums help imagine a brass band marching and dancing. Steel guitar solos in the chorus gives it a country flavour.

"Tellemend froid ce soir" is a melancholic song that deals with the absence of the beloved. The sad piano layers completed by slow pace generated by a rhythm box and a begging voice are tricks to suggest the sad feelings.

"Camée Léone" is a cheerful song. A play on words with the nickname of the mysterious tatooed lady that is the center of the song, Camée Léone, cham'l'onne is "she chameleon" in english, another wink to Marillion?

"Alambic" is the title song. A downtempo song, with elegant atmospheres and a sublime chorus. The drumming is highly reminiscent of Marillion's albums from 'Brave' to 'This strange engine'.

"Encore un blues" is a beautiful minimalist song, with voice and rhodes only.

Overall, this album is very pleasant, with elegant atmospheres. Claire Vezina has a unique and expressive voice, recognizable among many others, and the musicianship is top-notch.