OFF THE MAP

Short-lived 90's band from Lille, headed by multi-instrumentalists Bertrand Dupouy and Francois Goethals.On their first album appear also bassist Michel Boria and drummer Jean-Bernard Hoste.This was recorded in various studios around France and live and it was released on Musea Parallele in 1993 under the title ''Off the map''.

This is a 50-min. long album, consisting of 15 short tunes and the musicianship is actually a total mixed bag.Many tunes have a strong KING CRIMSON flavor from their mid-70s age with complicated guitar workouts, often with a dual approach, very deep bass lines and an overall very mechanical sound, reminiscent of PHILHARMONIE.The rest of the album is very smooth in its approach, reminding of a calm guitar-driven CARAVAN or CAMEL, but not during the prog heydays than rather on their late-70's works.Very melodic stuff with clean sensitive vocals and an emotional content, like a breeze of fresh air between the more adventurous and slightly improvised material.There is also a cover of The Smith's "Nowhere Fast!" in an Exclusive Raja approach with a light rock feeling as well as a track as a tribute to THE BEATLES.

Certainly one of the weirdest albums in the prog league.Not extremely consistent or widely conveincing but definitely deserving some fame for its unique style.Recommended overall.