LES CYGNES ET LES CORBEAUX

Sub-genre:Zeuhl (vocal and trance feel fit, though no bass and little percussion)
For Fans of: Magma, Choral Music
Vocal Style: True to Zeuhl, primarily female, with Christian Vander's strong operatic presence.
Guitar Style: none
Keyboard Style: Piano, Rhodes and synth string arrangements
Percussion Style: Little, mostly programmed with some natural tambourine.
Bass Style: Programmed background sequences
Other Instruments: None
You are not likely to enjoy this album if: you do not appreciate modern classical or you are expecting traditional Zeuhl fare and a jazz/rock combo.

Summary: First of all, there is no mistaking that this is a Christian Vander composition. While the familiar overdriven bass, jazzy percussion and trademark imaginary language we have become accustomed to with Zeuhl are not there, Vander's dark brooding vocal arrangements and celestial motif is well intact. Broad operatic choral passages paint a very full and majestic landscape true to form for Christian and his wife Stella. While no specific piece is a direct Magma arrangement, the textures are eerily familiar; and I use the word "eerily" in the broadest and most literal sense. Les Cygnes Et Les Corbeaux is broken up into 27 mostly sub 3 minute movements which flow together seamlessly. At times Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire comes to mind, but the music is more accessible; just plain dark rather than obliquely dissonant.

Final Score: I could actually see this piece being appreciated by some listeners, particularly classical listeners, who did not otherwise like Magma or Zeuhl in general. This is a very fine work that should be explored. 4 stars.

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