FONYA

At this early point of Chris Fournier's career his life as a student and as a musician seem to walk on parallel ways.That's because during the second year of his stint at the University of Maine he decided to record a second effort under the moniker of Fonya.At the end of the day, he had the warm support from the Kinesis offices and the result was his second CD ''Soul travels'', released in 1993.

''Soul travels'' continues from where Fournier's first album stopped, his music explores the sound of keyboards and electronics with strong doses of guitars, but this time it sounds a bit more Prog-oriented in classic terms, even if it remains very spacious and synth-based.Several tracks on the album have a discreet Neo Prog feel and heavy orientations towards the vintage stylings of YES or E.L.P., containing some complex twists with occasional, tricky bass exercises and lots of symphonic references on synthesizer and organ.This does not mean that ''Soul travels'' comes pretty close to the standard prog principles, because the music still relies too much on synthetic echoes and electronic tunes, as established by groups such as OZRIC TENTACLES or CLEARLIGHT way back to the 70's.Moreover, this album sounds much less haunting than the debut, it contains even some happy tunes and the dreamy soundscapes are numerous.Fournier's work on instrumental execution, production and mixing is impressive.Even if the drum programming reveals the album's one-man background, the arrangements are extremely tight soundwise.The breaks into guitar world add the album some well-needed depth and the tracks become more balanced and, thus, more rewarding.Dreamy melodies and keyboard workouts are all over the place for a trippier approach into the Prog Rock planet.

Nice discovery, very 90's-sounding, but offering a great number of charming tunes and spacey landscapes, not to mention the fair dose of Classic Prog orientations.This period product comes warmly recommended.

One-man project from early 90's, performed by American multi-instrumentalist Chris Fournier.He learned to play bass and keyboards already as a student in high school, later to develop his knowledge in engineering, eventually earning a degree in electronics from the Southern Maine Technical College and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maine at Orono.During his junior year at the College of Maine Chris created the Fonya project and recorded his first CD album ''Wanderers of the Neverending Night'' in 1992, released on Kinesis label (named Kinetic Discs at the time).

This is no more or less than over an hour of well-executed, dramatic, grandiose and spacey Electronic Rock, filled with powerful , floating electronics and cosmic synthesizers, creating massive, sonic soundscapes of pure delight.Some tracks feature the vocals of Chris' brother Phil, which really dominate at moments with his melodramatic chords.Musically Chris achieved Fonya to sound as a tight and experienced band with a trully balanced sound between Electronic Music and rock instrumentation.The atmosphere ranges from dreamy and spacey to bombastic and symphonic, alteranating between hypnotic passages to virtuosic solos, and it is always supported by heavy bass lines and some well-programmed drum machines.The occasional guitar appearances add some fiery color as well.Overall the album has a rather dark, haunting mood, which easily sets the listener along its lines, another nice achievement by Fournier and his talent.

This is propably on of the finest examples of defining modern Electronic Rock.Balanced, groovy, powerful as well as hypnotic, atmospheric and ethereal.Strongly recommended if you like sonic music explorations...3.5 stars.

FONYA is the one man project of Chris Fournier. He plays all the instruments although the drums are programmed. Another laid back sort of samey release like the previous album "In Flux".

It's too bad because I like the sound to start out but then I tire of being fed the same flavour, and the drum sound does bother me although that's far from being the make or break with this recording. Again another long one at 71 minutes. I do think this is a step up from "In Flux" and maybe if it was a 40 minute album i'd give it 3 stars. I think too it's a case of having many albums in this style that simply blow this one away. No comparison.

Even the cover of "The Gates Of Delirium" can't pull this one out of the mire.

Recorded in 1999 by US multi-instrumentist Chris Fournier, this album is NOT among the most memorable under the Fonya monniker. Both "Wanderers of the Neverending Night" (92) or "Soul Travels" (93) could be named as far better. And there is a logical explanation for this. When Fournier doesn't sing, the music doesn't get harmed! His vocal intonation is so bad that it destroys all the good things that may float around! Fournier can deliver nice keyboard textures or spirited soloing, both on keyboards and guitar but all fall apart as soon as singing takes place and this is a shame! Releasing an album alone is already a difficult task because most of the time, the organic quality of interplay is missing; if now - like on Sunset Cliffs - one of the remaining and strongly organic parts, the voice, reveals itself to be weak, then the risk of fiasco is not very far away! Another often criticized aspect of records made by multi-instrumentists is their use of drum machines. And here Fournier wins some points; his use of the Roland R8 is tasty and if you want to have a model example of how good this machine (imo one of the best that came on the market AND stayed for years as a reference) can sound, then don't look further, Sunset Cliffs is the one! Among the strongest aspects of Sunset Cliffs is its atmospheres and their sound but unfortunately, there is a lack of continuity throughout and some tunes shine clearly while other struggle with light. All in all, I can't really argument for more than 2 stars and shoot one down if you take the vocal prestation into account!

FONYA is the one man project of American Chris Fournier. He plays lead guitar, bass and keyboards while adding programmed drums to the mix. He also produced it and of course created all the songs. This is an all-instrumental album that clocks in at an exhausting 79 plus minutes. Ouch !

This is mostly synth-led music with the odd guitar outburst and lots of those programmed drums too. I like the bass on a couple of tracks where it's quite chunky, but overall this is a tough listen. Very samey and the sound quality while not poor isn't that great. Lets put it this way, there's a lot more to complain about than to rave about or enjoy. The highlight is his cover of GENESIS' "Los Endos / Hairless Heart". Not that it's that good but just to hear a composition like that at the end of this album is a real lift to my spirit.

No question about Chris having lots of musical talent and ambition, but I can't recommend this one at all.

Chris Fournier knows how to do it. Here we have a one man show which can convince, at least partially. 'Upper Level Open Space' is from 1999, his fifth effort what I can see. Multi-instrumentalist Fournier offers a blend of relaxed and grooving sounds, clearly with the focus on contemporary keyboard/electronic stuff. Sometimes reminiscent to Pink Floyd, decorated with acoustic and psych guitar plus sweet melodies. I would say this is a blend of fusion, space and symphonic ingredients. Although coming from the computer the drums are well placed, nearly as performed live.

The opener Stardaze at the Summit is the album's menu card, comprising at once what follows. Quite impressing - speaking of the compositional aspect as well as concerning the implementation. A mini epic so to say, provided with alternating moods. Balladesque, chilled-out, grooving rocking. Guitar work is excellent - well done really. Infinite Visions is ambient spacey arranged - a nice flow - decorated with accentuated piano where Guadalupe from Sierra Diablo comes in a more symphonic outfit.

With Acadia a slight Ozric Tentacles feeling is present and finally Mountain of God closes as another mini epic once again similar to the opening song. The other tracks are okay, but not that spectacular. (Open) space on the upper level? Not really matching if you take it literally and expect classic space rock as such. The main reason is the high proportion of keyboard stuff which appears too modern respectively symphonic. However - this is an interesting atmospheric album containing some enjoyable songs. Solid three stars.

One of the most irritating things is the link some progheads make between symphonic prog and some sort of high-energy new-age music, and Fomya is a perfect example of such musical disaster. Fonya is apparently the pet project of Chris Fournier who plays every instrument on the album, even if most of them seem to be coming out of his cheap synths. Unfortunately this type of "basement solo project" album comes fifteen a dozen, and none are worth anything more than the price of the bus ride to the first used record store to get rid of it. Be it Arrakeen, Iris, Hecenia or Fonya, the 90's are filled with this type of home- made "projects", even down to the tacky artworks on the booklet.

When Fournier says: "Pseudo concept and half-baked ideas" in his liner notes, he is most likely being overly humble and tries to avoid sounding or looking pretentious. But little does he realize that his PCP album is exactly that: "Pseudo concept and half-baked ideas". And that this kind of album is pretentious beyond belief, pompously pushing Emerson and Lake aside to take their prized throne away from them.

Of course, this is always difficult to be entirely honest about such an album without actually hurting the author (Chris Fournier and his immense labour of love he invested in such works) or sounding impolite by using words like laughable, but I do not have the patience to give this kind of project a second listen, because it is not only useless, cheesy, but completely futile, IMHO. Best avoided. Soory Chris, being honest here.

Hey, im back!! Six years after the first (and very excellent)Fonya album...this little recordshows its spacey little head...."Perfect cosmological principle". another spacerock(prog) outing from ....i almost said..Fournier bros.- but hey where´s brother Phil??.... the voice of the first album!?? Nevermind...this is right on the spot..spacerock(prog) as we heard on the first album..but there are differences (sure the vocals are gone).. but the music are...much more...eh...how can i put it....synthetic. Thats not necessarily a bad thing...and this album is spacerock in supreme form. Chris Fournier played all instruments...composed all music, with the exception of an excerpt from YES´s "Gates of delirium"...here called:"Deliriums gate". So ..in all...a nice progspace outing......but the first album ("Wanderes of the never ending night") were better!! Space freaks...go for this one....IF..you liked the first one!!! Just a note on the cover art........it really doesnt do the music any favour!!

FONYA (brothers Chris & Phil Fournier) delivers quite a space travel here. Im reminded ofSeventh Wave,Hawkwind (only better),Eloy (slightly)& Some of Ozric´s spacier things.This is their first outing (of 7) and it really is like flowing in the air...wonderfull!!Chris...played all instruments,Phil delivers all vocals (some of them not all that convincing)but hey,the music rules here..and that in a BIG way.So my dear fellow spaceproggers...if you are the least interested in the abowe mentioned"space riders"...them this is an absolute gem.Go buy..put on..fasten seat belt...strap helmet on...lie back....ENJOY !! Roger over and ooouuuttt !!!

Excellent space exploratory music which will make your toes curl! Several years ago I heard FONYA's first release and thought it was mediocre. 5 albums since FONYA has finally found the right spot for me! Gentle synth filled space landscapes which are supported by excellent bass and guitar overlays. Along the way FONYA pulls out of the archive a remake of YES' "Gates Of Delerium Live" (From Yesshows) which is superb really. For those not familiar with FONYA, it is essentially a one man operation with all instruments played by Chris Fournier. This album has a very dark and professional feel to it and in my opinion never gets too synthy sounding. Songs a re nice and long and given lots of space to breathe as Fournier takes us into the depths of space. Excellent and well worth the price.