WHERE IDEAL AND DENIAL COLLIDE

Over the years one of the questions I find myself being asked, and also asking myself, is why on earth do I keep reviewing? Why do I give myself the stress of backlogs and knowing people are waiting for me to say what I think about their music, and why do I keep churning out quarter of a million words a year? The simple answer is for times like these, when a band sends me their debut album and I fall in love with it from the off. Prior to Carina sending me an email I had never heard of her or this band, but now we have been in contact I am already looking forward to seeing what they come up with next. Apparently, Oddleaf came about when in 2020 Carina (keyboards, compositions) and Mathieu Rossi (flute/electronic Flute) decided to create a Progressive Rock project, after a decade of touring the worlds of Early and Medieval Music. The following year the line-up was completed by the addition of Clément Curaudeau (drums), Olivier Orlando (bass & guitar) and Olivier Marcaud (lead vocals). However, Marcaud decided to leave the band towards the end of 2023 and was replaced by Adeline Gurtner and with everyone apart from Clément providing vocals we have lush four-part harmonies with two male and two female. The vocal approach is quite reminiscent at times of modern Solstice, but the music feels very symphonic and strongly rooted in the Seventies. This is not only due to the strong use of flutes, but also with the use of vintage keyboards such as Mellotron and Hammond Organ while there is also a nice use of piano as underpinning here and there.

This never feels like a debut album, but is polished and full of confidence which makes one believe they have been working together for a very long time indeed and have already built the reputation they will obviously have very soon. They say they are influenced by the likes of classic Camel, King Crimson and Yes while also bringing in Wobbler and Big Big Train, but to my ears there is also plenty of classic Renaissance. With a strong rhythm section, the keyboards and flutes combine in such a manner that there is often little room for guitar so it is not surprising that Olivier plays a dual role, as I cannot hear there being a need for a full-time guitarist. There is a lightness and deftness of touch which makes this a real delight, and I fell in love with the first time I played it and have enjoyed it more each time I have been through it. There are times when it is laid back, soothing and restful, then at others we get a driving Hammond and Anderson-style dynamic flute which takes us in a different direction altogether, but always back to the vocals. If I had to pick a country of origin then I would have been convinced they are English, but they are actually French, although the vast majority of their style and influences are from the other side of the Channel, and all vocals are clear and unaccented.

If symphonic prog containing wonderful vocals, superb musicianship and songs, from a band who want to take you on a journey of melodic discovery then this is for you.

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to kev rowland
• Report this review (#3191885)
• Buy ODDLEAF music online with PA partners
• Show all ODDLEAF MP3/Stream
• Go to ODDLEAF page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Where Ideal and Denial Collide page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for ODDLEAF related discussions