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Pentacle - La Clef des Songes CD (album) cover

LA CLEF DES SONGES

Pentacle

 

Symphonic Prog

4.03 | 118 ratings

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Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
4 stars I finally own this cd ! If you knew the abuse I took from one Mr. Finnforest who knew I couldn't get it because it was out of print, you would understand my relief. It was all in good fun of course but the way he and tszirmay talked about this record I was sure it was the holy grail of prog albums. I think that is why I can only muster 4 stars for this one. Only ? Ok when an album gets hyped and hyped it very rarely lives up to the billing does it ? Part of the reason well may be i've listened to it too much. As Finnforest mentions this is an easy one to get into, and after many, many listens it's not getting better.The music really has an Italian feel to it for me. I think it's the vocals, even though they are in French they are mostly fragile, and I think Italian when I hear them.The guitar when it comes to the fore is clean, clear and loud. I love it. The string synths are all over this album as well. Not as good as mellotron in my opinion but it creates a spacey, dreamy soundscape.

"La Clef Des Songes" was my favourite right from the first listen. Not anymore, but it really stood alone for me even after 5 listens. The dramatic guitar, synths and drum intro settles down quickly then kicks right back in before fragile vocals come in. The contrast continues. Love the guitar solo 2 1/2 minutes in. "Naufrage" opens with the wind blowing as faint guitar sounds can be heard. Strummed guitar and fragile vocals take over. The electric guitar leads sound great. Check out the guitar 4 minutes in to the end. "L'ame Du Guerrier" has some amazing bass throughout. And the organ is a highlight as well. Yes, fragile vocals (ho hum) come in around a minute as it settles down. Piano 2 1/2 minutes in as the tempo picks up. Synths, then some ripping guitar after 3 1/2 minutes. Nice. The vocals are better as he really sings. Funny but parts of this song remind me of VIOLETA DE OUTONO. Themes are repeated. Amazing tune.

"Les Pauveres" is patoral with reserved (ahem) vocals to begin with. The guitar after 1 1/2 minutes makes some beautiful melodic noise. Then back to the mellow soundscape. "Complot" opens with organ as drums and synths follow. Fragile vocals a minute in. Guitar after 2 minutes as we get a lot of synths in this one. "Le Raconteur" is the final and longest track on the album. The first 3 minutes are quite calm with synths, organ, vocals and drums leading the way. Then the tempo starts to pick up with some nice guitar 3 1/2 minutes in. 4 1/2 minutes in it settles right down with synths and some tasteful guitar. The guitar cries out beautifully 7 minutes in and then gets aggressive 8 1/2 minutes in. It then settles back down to end it.

Thankyou Finnforest and tszirmay, two gentlemen who's opinions mean very much to me. Unfortunately everytime I think of PENTACLE I will think of you two characters !

Mellotron Storm | 4/5 |

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