CONSERVATION OF MASS

This French Canadian band plays an intricate music with high pitched Anderson like vocals; and I can only say that for most of their debut, the mix is quite effective. The band was accordingly moved from neo to eclectic (at least for this album) which is better in line with the work one can discover with "Conservation Of Mass (retain?)".

This "Yes" inspired music is highlighted during "Amora Demonis": great bass lines, furious guitar and explosive drumming are such a fine combination! The first part of this album though features several short (to very tracks) which aren't quite necessary ("Eternal Loop" or "Carved In Rust")? One minute for both tracks combined! Is there a real need for this? I guess not.

Once tracks are longer, the music develops better and even if "The Second Round" clocks at less than five minutes, it offers some very good theme changes and complex drumming. Metal lines aren't alien to this song to be complete. Some sort of "Yes" with a metal angle: not bad at all I admit. Some polyphonic vocal passages are also reminding me of "Gentle Giant". I can understand though that some of you might get irritated by Jocelyn Beaulieu's voice. But I quite like it.

It takes some time for "?Action!" to enter into ?action. Quite frankly the hard rocking intro is nothing from the other world, but when the wonderful guitar solo enters the scene; it is quite a different story.

The longest song of this offering offers a more keyboards oriented track; vocals are quite melodic and very well performed. Be ready for another YesJourney my prog friends. I guess that by this time: either you love this album or hate it. Or maybe that like me, you just believe that it is a good album but find that it borrows too much to the gigantic "Yes". The closing "Watercourse Hymn" is no other.

A good debut album which features high technical skills and fine Anderson oriented vocals: three stars.