CHANETON

The closest comparisons for Chaneton's second album are maybe Italians YLECLIPSE or Mexicans CAST, who also played a very rich and grandiose Neo/Symphonic Rock, still Chaneton have this pronounced GENESIS taste in their arrangements, partly due to Villanueva's GABRIEL-esque voice and partly due to the song structures with the changing climates between softer and more dynamic passages.The recordings did last a bit too long, but ''The first lights of the century'' presents definitely an improved sound over Chaneton's debut.No fillers, no weak moments, no boring tunes.This is excellent, modern Symphonic Rock with limited character but strong, lush and polished arrangements with smooth piano preludes, bombastic keyboards and mindblowing guitar moves, while Villanueva certainly belongs among the decent PETER GABRIEL imitators, having a non-accented and expressive voice.The musicianship is very solid with atmospheric, orchestral synthesizers, floating keyboard textures and light electric tunes, while the long pieces contain very good variations between a laid-back lyricism and a pompous symphonicism with nice instrumental ideas.The lovely vocal lines, the great guitar solos and the mass of delicate melodies belong among the album's highlights, a very good work of contemporary Symphonic Rock.Still a stronger essence of personality would be more than welcome.

The album is very long, over 70 minutes, but its vast majority ranges from decent to superb quality.Are you a fan of GENESIS/MARILLION-like Progressive Rock?Then ''The first lights of the century'' is a no-brainer for your collection.Well-arranged and elaborate Progressive Rock with both a vintage and modern aura.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

Argentinian band Chaneton taking their name from guitarist Alex Chaneton really made a good record with this second offer from 2004 named The first lights of the century. Wit clear influences coming from britisch school like Genesis or Marillion, special in vocal department, Patricio Villanueva is somthing between Gabriel in places and Fish. I think from all 3 albums released by the band this is their best so far, at least for me. Very symphonic kind of neo prog, specialy dominated by excellent orchestrated keybords, very good parts, the first 5 piece are excellent, the rest 5 are only ok, maybe the ending longest piece is little better and belong to the first half of the album in greatness. Long piece, well composed, rich in arrangements, I could swear that this band is not from Argentina, because of manner of composing and because of the vocalist, no trace of funy accent in vocal department, really good. The album is almost 75 min, but this is not a problem, thealbum is pretty well constructed with great moments, I like a lot the keyboards passages. I don't know if they are more popular outside Argentina, but for sure is one of the best I've heared from this country in neo prog field. 3.5 stars actualy, not quite 4, because the second half of the album is little to mid tempo and paced face the first half . Quite good towards great record that needs to be praised more.

This is my first exposure to their music so I do not know where this band came from. Sombras Distantes is a far more MOR (Middle Of the Road) album than I am used to from the Neo Prog genre. The vocals is Engelbert Humperdink like with pain and love in equal measures. The music is also in that direction. It is enough butter on Sombras Distantes to solve the recent Norwegian butter shortage.

Most of the butter is produced by synths and guitars. Mostly synths though. The sound is good throughout. The vocals too is good.

The music is not bad though. Some of it is very Genesis like at time and there is a lot of good melody lines here. I regard this as a good album. But it is also very mainstream rock too with a lot of pain & love ballads which some may find offensive. I do not think I will put the band on my favorite bands list though. Middle Of the Road, this album is in more than one meaning.

3 stars

The music is quite noisy but like is also the case with neoband GERARD, noisy in a nice way with lots of great melody, fine keyboards and original songs with great build up. Biggest difference with Gerard is that Chaneton has a very active vocalist. In a review of this album on another website I read a comment about this voice, that it sounded like a sort of mockery of himself. Well, I wouldn't want to go that far, I think this is a fairly normal voice, ok maybe a bit peculiar but not too weird at all. I didn't have a hard time getting used to it and somehow it fits this music I feel.

Another striking thing to me is the high standard throughout the entire album. Only strong songs on this one, a downside could be that the album is very long (personally I don't have a problem with this at all, an album can't be long enough for me but sometimes I get the feeling I'm just about the only one who feels this way). Anyway, not much to complain otherwise or it would have to be that at first the songs sound a little bit sloppy but most of that has to do with the overwhelming lot that's coming over you for about 75 minutes. Initially it's a bit too much really, like I said, the music is complex and it will have to grow on you I'm convinced. But I would advice: don't give up too soon, let it grow and you own a jewel with this one. 4 stars. Recommended for fans of Marillion and Genesis who like the longer and more complex structures.

The opening number "The First Lights Of The Century" is a bit hard, but well in line with most of these neo-prog bands emulating the great Genesis. Chaneton will also mix calm sections with more powerful ones. But I guess that you are already familiar with this treatment. The genuine Genesis was also combining these moods quite often.

One of the best songs of this album is "Faces Melting In Your Hands". Fantastic rhythm, great guitar riffs and PG releated vocals. Not a bad combination, right ? We'll be fully in-line with Chaneton's best with ... "Infinite Line" : great guitar from Alex Chaneton and sensational keys. These parts are really magic. Of course, some will argue that it does not sound too original and they would probably be right. Still, I like those two tracks a bunch.

For the Banks fans, I can only recommend "Across The Sea" and "Apocalypse Seller". An orgy of synthesizers. Same flavour as the one you might knwo already (Banks of course). Lots of off-beat rhtyms, mostly intrumental. It is amazing that their leader is a guitar player and that most of the compositions are more keyboards-oriented. Doesn' t matter, actually. This song is another higlight of this album.

What is nice with "Chaneton" is that their songs are good compositions, they perform them with their heart and sould and therefore dissociates from other similar bands. Accidentally, I finalized my review for this album just after a "Cititzen Cain" one. And although the music of both bands is remininscent of Genesis, I prefer Chaneton's release. Just listen to the wonderful (but extremely short) guitar solo at the end of "Black Mountain" to be conquered.

Or maybe to the beautiful melody of "Six Flowers In The Room". It could be that the Latin touch adds such a marvelous tone. These Argentinian guys definitely have something different. They are more passionate, lyrical. Are these feelings shared or is it the fact that I am married to a Mexican girl (well lady by now since we did this some twenty-two years ago...).

I guess that you will agree with me when you'll listen to "The Man In Grey". A brilliant song again. Vocals are really good. You could hardly have expected such pleasant ones. Fully Gabrielesque but with such a power, passion (again). Bravo Patricio.

The epic track of this very good album "Lost Prophecy" is the highlight of this album (but there won't be any weak, nor boring songs). A wonderful kaleidoscope of Chaneton's music. The guitar which is too much in the background for most of the album will have its good times here. It is a very powerful song. Fully bombastic and grandiose.

This is an album I like very much. Of course, you need to accept that a band plays Genesis music. If you are a truely purist, just don't bother. If you would fancy some great return in the past, do bother. This is probably one of the best choice you could do. But when I see so few reviews for this album, I am a bit sceptic.

A solid four stars.

Old Father Thames introduces me to the Fountain of Salmacis some thirty four years ago. I was as a Watcher Of The Skies but I could only see the Horizon's. I have been using The Knife quite a lot to survive in The Battle Of Epping Forrest. The magic always have struck out my Musical Box and I have always fought For The Vine.

Of course, when I was facing some financial difficulties, they told me to Get Out By Friday. At that time I was Looking For Someone in order to check whether some sort of Time Table could be proposed. Since I could not find a compromise, there were some Blood On The Rooftops.

I had to escape to another land, to another time. So, I flew away to a Braodway Melody, somewhere in 1974. It was some strange kind of country in which alliens are put In The Cage. No Cuckoon, believe me. Only a Chamber Of Thirty Two Doors. I heard that it was located in a city in which The Lamb Lies Down. I was told it was on Broadway.

I just survived this experience thanks to the wonderful Lilywhite Lillith who Anyway brought me through The Waiting Room and allows me to face The Lamia thanks to The Supernatural Anaesthetist. After having crossed a Silent Sorrow In Empty Boats, I had to face a Colony Of Slipperman. And while The Lights Died Down On Braodway, I faced my Brother John. In The Rapids.

It was really an Unquiet Slumbers For The Sleepers but In This Quiet Earth full of White Mountain, I had a Vision of Angels. Suddenly, The Return of the Giant Hogweed was there. He was hungry so we had to distract him till the Supper's was Ready.

I was really Dancing On A Vulcano since I didn't Know What He Liked. I even offered him some Sugar Mice to test it out. But After The Ordeal, he was Dancing With the Moonlit Knight doing some sort of Cinema Show.

My friends Harold the Barrel and Harlequin were looking at me. But I could hardly see them. They were kind of Absent Friends. No Tricks here. It is the end of the story. Los Endos. Unfortunately.

If you are quite intrigued with this introduction, it's just to warn you that this is a cover album. Of some great Genesis songs (even two genuine Marillion songs will be featured with Sugar Mice and Lavender).

Some of you might be reluctant to such work. I am not, provided that the work is done with care, talent and faith. And it is the case with this Chaneton live work. I have seen them live (Genesis, not Chaneton) in 1975 with Peter for The Lamb concert, in 1976 while they were unfortunately only four of them and twice in 1977 (same line-up except on the drums).

Genesis has accompanied my life since 1973 and when a "tribute" band attempts to play these songs with such skills, I am almost like the forteen old boy I was a long, long time ago.

I am about to see "The Musical Box" for the tenth time or so (the best Genesis cover band ever) and it is always with a lot of thrill that I am going to attend their representation of a Genesis show. If I can give you a piece of advice is just go and see tehm if they come in your neighbourhood.

It was really a very pleasant moment for me to review this album. Nothing original of course. Just nostalgia. Three stars.

Incredible first intrumental track (only 1'24"). It is very unusual that such a short track can provide this amount of emotion. The only example I can think of is the track "Beyond" (27 seconds long) which opens the album the "Sun Also Rises" from the Dutch band "Knight Area" (great album by the way).

The singer is truely "Gabrielesque", but this is far from annoying me.

"Tears in the Rains" is very attractive with lots of rythm and harmony ("Dolphin's Song" is of the same caliber). Emotional vocals, Banks oriented keyboards. Did you say clone ? OK, maybe you're right. But I like it. It's only knock and knowall. A very good start for this "Chaneton" debut album.

"A Long Past Time" is a short track with a very nice guitar solo in the middle section (two versions though sits on this album : the standard one and a ...fast one. Rather strange ...I am just found of the melody of this song. Not essential but so nice.

I guess that as "The Last Dream" arrives, it is now time to mention the excellent guitar work of their leader. I guess that it is not necessary to tell you to whom he sounds like at times. But he is really skilled. The best of him is due here. Emotion at its best. But the whole song deserves your attention. And if you like the guitar solo from "Firth" (but who the hell could not love it), just get a listen to it.

The second half of the album is probably less impressive. More guitar oriented, poppier and less inspired. Depending on the song.

"Soul's Song" is a slow paced track. Sounds more like a PG solo work. But again, the guitar break at the end of the song is fabulous. "The Frontier" features a repetitive chorus and is a weak composition. Here and there some good guitar notes; but that's all.

"The Secret Box" is far much better. It is more Marillion oriented (the genuine one of course). Same sort of guitar work than Rothery (another Steve). It is another fave of mine.

"Aquatic Dreams" is the weakest track of the whole album. Poor sound at times, and below average vocals. I don't really know what could have happened here. So far they were rather good (even if carbon copied).

To remind us the "Foxtrot" atmosphere, we'll get "Heaven's Sound" ("Horizon's"). This is of course not the first time that this pleasant acoustic track has been of a source of inspiration for prog bands.

Now, the title track and closing number. It opens on "The Watcher" riff for a few sec. But turned to be a very good neo-prog melody. Good rhytmic and keyboards and a fine way to close this album.

Of course, lots of you could be P.O. which such similarities but at least, you have been warned. If you can't stand this type of bands, just ignored "Chaneton". If you have a certain kindness for these bands who are Genesis influenced, you'll have a good time while listening to this album.

Globally, it is a very nice piece of music but it lacks of originality. Three stars seems to be legitimate for this work. Give it a try.