DESERTED PALACE

"Deserted Palace" is a rather unconventional piece of music. I wouldn't say that it is as daring as the "Kraftwerk" debut, but it holds some minimalism which at times reminds me of the German band ("Poltergeist Party").

This album is quite pioneering the electronic music in France. Of course, you shouldn't expect anything a la "Oxygen" but I have to say that except some very short pieces like the avant- garde "Exasperated Frog", "Iraqi Hitch Hiker" or "Bee Factory", this album deserves a listen.

I particularly like the Floydean "Bridge Of Promises" which indeed holds some promise about what's to come. My fave is the long (for this album) "Windswept Canyon". It is a combination of very melodic parts mixed with more experimental and complex ones. The highlight and a beautiful song. At times, it competes with some great German electronic bands (if you see who I mean).

This debut album is sometimes daunting, but for the time of recording (1972) it was innovative and totally not commercial. But this is partially due to J-M background of experimental artist / student. Needless to say that this work fully corresponds to the electronic prog genre.

This is an average album (five out of ten): at times very good, at times weak. Two stars.