LA MAISON DE FLORE

Second self-released album for this Belgian combo, coming from the South of Brussels having started out some 4 years ago, a sextet that came to attention with their very spectacular theatrical shows and a very original and dramatic music, while always remaining fun and light-hearted. Indeed we are light years away from the sombre chamber prog of Present and Univers Zero, and this is rather good news for the Belgian scene, which is flourishing with a new wave of prog groups, of which AmAndA is one of the brightest hopes. While the Flemish groups seem to stick to formulas and signing in English, on the Walloon side, some of the groups (AmAndA a.o.) don't hesitate to develop some more unusual sounds and dare singing in their native tongue, which gives all the more force to the originality of their music.

And AmAndA is indeed original, coming more as a concept on the mysterious and elusive character, to the point of intriguing everyone with their question: "Qui Est AmAndA?" Don't look yet for solutions in this album, since the group concentrates on a delicious blonde girl called Flore (AmAndA's sister? Lover? Best friend?) sprawled all over the album, including a superb slipcase and on the disc itself. So blond an animal, that her blond mane inspired of some of Belgian's most famous brews (hopefully tasting like them too ;-), Flore could even make us forget AmAndA.

AmAndA's music is resolutely modern, some might even hear it close to neo-prog: there is a bit of that, but also so much more. Indeed the music oscillates between a solid symphonic prog ala Genesis or Ange, without sounding retro either, laced with a solid dose of crunchy guitars (almost metal) and highly entertaining vocals ranging from the operatic to the whispering, riveting us to our seat (especially the Latin passage of Sontes Latent), begging for more and prayer for relief at the same time.

The main spirit of AmAndA is FUN, so their music reflects that, remaining happy even in the dramatic moments where they pull a few spine chills from the listener, even if the subject of the lyrics can seem trite. And AmAndA also has a very pop side as well, reminiscent of the greater Queen, 10 CC or The Sparks, even sporting art rock looks; their pop facet even taking a bizarre synthetic rhythm at times. But the guitar duo will never allow it to digress from the rock aesthetics, while the keyboard duo will reinforce prog "topics".

Likely one of the most original albums to come in the new millennium from Belgium (I'd even say Europe), La Maison De Flore is sometimes astonishing (even astounding) by the flawless execution, and even non-French speakers should enjoy this highly entertaining storyline in great part due to excellent vocal works.