RATTRAPANTE

COSMOGRAF, known since 2011, which distills a good prog rock à la Barclay James Harvest, Pink Floyd in a planing variation, is releasing its 8th album here, to make up for lost time? Robin Armstrong almost did it on his own in his studio, this album smacks of neo, prog metal, progressive rock, vintage 80's or even 70's sound with Hammond and Rainbow in focus; he himself says he adores this era of the legendary Deep Purple; I find there a little of the sounds of the great Genesis and the sound snippets of the Martian voice of David Bowie, for a musical and dramatic mishmash of pandemic time unique in our history.

"In 1985" opening à la Gilmour at first, 2'30 "dream then explosion and riff à la" Kashmir ", muffled percussion, languid keyboards and the high-pitched voice of Robin; a track which unfolds, which remains predictable, as if cut for the scene cruelly absent in these uncertain times, wink with crowd noises from the live Aid of 85; spatial instrumental break, synths worthy of a Europe, it smells of the 80's; the tortured Blackmore guitar solo, sublime for a final à la "The Trial" sinking notes like this drums. "Rattrapante" for a punchy rock with an undulating organ à la Genesis, a rhythm dated by the lonely bass and guitar, usual backing vocals; text on speed records, staged on the station wagon with sound effects from President Kennedy then voices from NASA; return of the original rhythm as on 'The Return of the Giant Hogweed' which seems to never stop. "I Stick To You" with Chrissy of the Blackheart Orchestra for a dark song ballad on a spleen side with acoustic guitar; a bit of the soaring Porcupine Trees from the start here. everything is beautiful, romantic, haunting, from another age; a title that stretches like the sensation of a man stuck in time, tragically and inevitably seeing his loved ones disappear. "Memories Lie" piano at the entrance then moving text on our programmed degradation; a sound that reminds me at times of the King Crimsons or even the Barclay James Harvest, the Hammond organ is beautiful and airy, a little acoustic guitar like on "Animals" to put Robin's voice; a majestic guitar solo, dreamlike and filled with warm spleen comes here to increase the emotion and distort our reality with the impression of an endless tune. "Time Will Flow" and already the end on a magnificent moving piano-synth intro, it goes up on a chorus to melt, it draws on the Porcupine Trees, the narrator Tommy adds a little mystery, oral vibration, progressive sensitivity ; it is latent, the synth remains alone in space until Robin arrives, whose voice seems logical; a tune which undoubtedly refers to 'In 1985' with an overly predictable crescendo, but perhaps this is the aim of this melodic and symphonic title keeping the clichés of the genre.

Note 3 short bonuses of 'i stick to you', time will flow 'and rattrapante' which make it possible to account for melodies that are more elaborate than they seem. A vintage sound that gives off a better sensitivity over listening thanks to the contemporary approach to tunes and instruments that may make you dive into it; this Cosmograf there coming out on CD, vinyl and digital is worth more than my first listening, becoming bewitching and nostalgic.