SELECTIVE MEMORY

I admit I'm pretty much undecided by this album. Even though it is very diverse, it has that retro sympho vibe that I'm usually not very wild about. Not that I don't like symphonic prog, I hardly listened to anything else for years, but the world has turned since then and I've moved on to pastures less green. Now, I can enjoy backwards looking music that is done very well like Änglagard, but with Tempano, I don't know which way to turn.

First of all the production is not good, the balance is uneven, the drums and guitars are badly recorded. But more importantly, the mosquito-buzzing moog gets on my nerves. What do so many prog fans have with this instrument? I don't get it. Also the vocalist should try a bit harder: too many predictable melodies and generally a non-emotive delivery. As an example for my issue with the vocals, you could check out The Blind Crow.

Now, before you accuse me for being in a grumpy mood, there are many things to enjoy here as well.

A first reason is that they have created a very personal sound: something between '76 Genesis, RPI and some fusion maybe? And also, the album is very diverse. It has lots of excellent guitar and at its best instrumental moments it slightly reminds me of Djam Karet. Well, if they keep that moog silent, the music gets very enjoyable at times. A Van Der Graaf inspired song like Irus is a good example of their unique and appealing mood. That is until they break the effect with that toy-moog again.

The free distribution of this album makes it extra sympathetic but I can't let that fact cloud my judgement. It's almost 3 stars, with a bit more attention to detail or a good producer, they might have trimmed this to a good 50 minute album. Now there are too many moments that bring it down.