LE VER DANS LE FRUIT

Nemo's 'Le Ver Dans Le Fruit' is a lengthy prog album with very accomplished musicianship and French language. It has an a cappela opening, then cool metal riff locks in and some odd time sigs as a keyboard plays along. I am instantly hooked on the guitar riff, which had me coming back for more on Stipant Luporum and Trojan (Le ver dans le fruit). The French lyrics are of course unknown to me, but the music is a terrific soundscape. By the time Milgram, 1960 begins I found myself really getting into the music, that is so uplifting bright and melodic, like a French Flower Kings or Echolyn. The lead break is fabulous with incredibly dextrous keyboards and synth lines too. I wish I could understand the lyrics though as I kind of felt shut out but the music really drew me in.

On Verset XV we have a really spacey synth solo like lost in space meets prog. Neuro Market has some weird effects on the drums and an ELP sound on the keys, Emerson influences abound. The guitars kept a constant melody that flickered on an odd time sig. That guitar distortion is aggressive and I love that Hammond shimmer. The vocals are again unintelligible but sound pleasant. Le Fruit de la Peur has a great synth line intro and moves into piano and guitar finesse, so well executed. The vocals add a majestic almost romantic quality and there are some great melodies to hook into.

CD 2 opens with bright guitar phrases and striking keyboard soloing on A la une. The lead break screams and howls beautifully and the synth solos are brilliant. Terrific vocals cap off a stellar track. Triste fable opens with tranquil violin sounds, with a portentous atmosphere, helped by plucking guitar chords. It is a great sound that is generated and it builds to a guitar progression that flows along till we get to the odd timed rhythm. The instrumental section reminds me of the sound of King Crimson's Red in some ways. The song changes with a strong beat and buzzing synth lines. The vocals come in eventually and have a good sound. The bass is notable on this track and there is even a spoken word component.

Allah Deus is an uptempo high energy track with quirky rhythms and bright guitar phrases. The synth solo is frenetic and a very cool guitar riff dominates with a range of time sig changes. This is an outstanding instrumental with a refreshing original edge and some powerhouse keyboard playing. Opium clocks in at just over 9 minutes and opens with twanging folk acoustics, and builds into melodic pop style.

Arma Diania is the massive epic at 17.19 in length. The extended intro is a rhythmic guitar distortion and some punctuated off beats on drums and bass. The keyboard solo has a Gypsy vibe, and it settles into soft raspy vocals and minimalist music. A heavy riff cranks up and then some fast keyboard motifs and lead guitar with psychedelic reverberation. The time sig switches gears and a keyboard solo powers out. The long instrumental passage moves into quieter soundscapes, until distorted guitar riffs intervene and the main melody returns. A peaceful acoustic segment is joined by reflective vocals and some fine harmonies. More distorted guitar chops round off the epic and a final acoustic flourish bring it to an end.

Overall Nemo have a great album here with some wonderful songs and accomplished musical moments. The French lyrics may put some off but this album nevertheless deserves recommendation as one to listen to in an exceptional year for prog.