L'HOMME VOILIER

ONIRIS were a band from France who released this one album back in 1979. There are plenty of theatrical vocals, atmosphere and adventure. This is such an interesting listen and they have given a lot of attention to detail. The album I thought of most while listening to this was Emmanuel Booz's 1974 release. We do get some welcomed female vocals at times and she is fantastic.

"Schizologues" opens with dark atmosphere as piano and bass join in. It's building. Theatrical vocals 2 minutes in. It changes and becomes jazzy before 4 minutes with electric piano and guitar. Another calm with atmosphere follows then the vocals are back. Theatrical spoken words after 6 1/2 minutes then it's jazzy again. It's catchy but laid back after 8 minutes. Female vocals help out as well. A brief Zeuhl vibe after 10 minutes is cool. It's jazzy again. Some nice guitar after 14 1/2 minutes then atmosphere ends it. What a great side long suite that is.

"L'homme Voilier" opens with piano melodies as fragile vocals join in. Not a fan of this but thankfully it changes and turns experimental but not for long as we get more mellow stuff. It's fuller then we get an atmospheric calm before 4 minutes. Some crazy theatrics late. "Enferologues" is a short psychedelic conversation. "Le Reve Et Le Quotidien" opens with drums as vocals and a fuller sound follows. The female vocals here are sound amazing. Insane is maybe the word. Atmosphere and whispering 3 minutes in then it picks up again. Laughter before 5 minutes and a guitar solo 6 1/2 minutes in. The intensity is rising 8 1/2 minutes in with the vocals leading. Amazing ! A calm ends it as it as the album ends as it began.

A very solid 4 stars.