L'HEPTADE

Harmonium's "L'heptade", released in 1976, is a remarkable piece of music that has certainly stood the test of time. The album is an ambitious, double-LP concept album that explores a range of musical styles and moods, displaying the band's virtuosity and versatility.

The album starts with "Comme un Fou" a majestic and haunting piece, featuring ethereal vocal harmonies along with majestic strings, acoustic guitar, wind chimes, and a stunning orchestral section. The track sets the tone for the rest of the album, highlighting the band's desire to create something truly timeless and innovative.

The album then continues on a journey of moods and sounds with tracks such as "Chanson Noire", it has a hypnotic, rhythmic bassline that complements the vocal harmonies, which make it easy to get lost in the sounds. "Lumière de Vie" features moments of jazzy improvisation, showcasing the band's proficiency in jazz and fusion. "Projet" is a potent climax full of emotions and strong guitar riffs, that make it an essential listening material. I also liked the song "L'exil" very much, as the vocal of the lead vocalist is too good not enjoy.

The musicianship throughout is flawless, with the interplay between the various instruments seamless and organic, creating an incredible listening experience. The vocals, while not always perfectly enunciated, blended beautifully together, adding another layer to the overall immersive sound.

The diversity in the material and song structuring, in my opinion, is also incredible. There is a little something for everyone, and every song fits perfectly into the overall context of the album. Despite the length of the album, each track is distinct and memorable, creating a story that is well-told.

The only downside to this album is that, as an English speaker, you may miss a chunk of the lyrical content if you do not understand French. However, this doesn't detract from the overall quality of the album, and the music speaks for itself.

In conclusion, Harmonium's "L'heptade" stands the test of time as an avant-garde classic, a masterpiece of progressive rock with its diverse soundscapes and excellent musicianship both instrumental and vocal I fully recommend this piece to anyone who wants to experience something remarkable and groundbreaking.

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