THE FIRST LIGHTS OF THE CENTURY

This is the second studio album of this good Argentinian band (they also released a cover live album of Genesis songs called ..."Cinema Show" which is also worth a listening if you are missing them so much as I am, I mean Genesis).

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.