L'HEPTADE

Harmonium

Prog Folk

4.11 | 384 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

toroddfuglesteg

This is a review I have been struggling very hard with.

Harmonium has released three studio albums and one live album. Neither of the four albums is easy listening or even remotely easy to review. The reason is the complexity of their music and the intense effort it takes to get under the skin of their albums. It is sweating blood albums.

When that is said, their albums is not bad at all. Their albums is very good in fact and essentials due to Harmonium's unique sound. This band is one of a kind and in their own class.

L'Heptade is their third and final album. Harmonium balanced on the line between folk and symph on their second and classic album Si On Avait Besoin D'Une Cinqui�me Saison. On L'Heptade, they took a decisive step to the symphonic prog genre. That includes the use of a symphony orchestra. But the classic Harmonium sound is still there and leaves no doubts who this band is.

Quality wise, Harmonium never disappointed. Yes, L'Heptade is a massive undertaking and sometimes at L'Heptade, the band bites over more than they can swallow. The songs is not easy accessable and demands the full attention from the listener. It is only after ten x listening sessions, or rather more, than the album really opens up. That is a flaw, in my estimation. But again; Harmonium's sound is very unique and demands a flick of the switch somewhere in the brain of the listener. But this album is still a great album, but still a nightmare to review.

I gives this album a weak four stars rating, but still with a health warning. This album almost demands too much from the listener and should be taken in small dosages over a period of some years before reviewing it.

4 stars

toroddfuglesteg | 4/5 | 2011-1-3

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this HARMONIUM review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to toroddfuglesteg
Report this review (#371635)
Buy HARMONIUM music online with PA partners
Show all HARMONIUM MP3/Stream
Go to HARMONIUM page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to L'heptade page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for HARMONIUM related discussions