NYL

The French psychedelic band Nyl came to my attention via a review here on PA, and the positive remarks led me to investigate this band further. Nyl was definitely a talented, although short-lived, band that was going against the grain a bit in the mid-70's. Playing more of a late 60's/early 70's brand of psychedelic rock, they also managed to put their own spin on the genre. The rhythm section of Jannick Top and Stephane Rossini (tracks 1, 3, 6) remind me of Wetton / Bruford era King Crimson, and gives the spacey atmosphere some serious groove. Michel Peteau's guitar work is excellent, full of wha wha petal workouts and plenty of reverb for that serious spaced-out vibe. Add in a dash of Krautrock on some tracks (mainly on all 3 versions of "Nyl" and the closer, "Alex") and you have an interesting concoction of psychedelia to soak in. I won't go into detailed descriptions of each track as others have already done here on PA, but most of the tracks range from good to great, with the exception of "Ailes D'Or," which is a sappy ballad that really feels out of place. The standout tracks are "Nyl" (versions I & II), "Nyarlathotep," "Shatt,"and "Alex." Recommended to those who like some serious progressive touches with their psychedelia. 4 stars.