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Visible Wind - Catharsis  CD (album) cover

CATHARSIS

Visible Wind

Neo-Prog


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ZowieZiggy
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars When I first listening to this band, I really felt in move with its beautiful music. This Canadian band is at times close to the French prog scene, not only because they sing in French on some tracks of their repertoire(but not much) but more because some vocals section are somewhat very expressive and theatrical.

Their music is full of melody but mixes stronger rhythms as well. So, this album will really fill your hearts with joy (at least it did with mine). Do not expect too complex music with intricated tempo changes though. You won't get this with this album. Straight-forward and accessible compositions which remind at time of "Pendragon".

Nice melodies, sweet (but not boring) vocals. At times "Visible Wind" will even sound poppish ("The False Truths" which is probably the track that is the closest "Pendragon" one). Nice mellotron and guitar breaks. Very pleasant, indeed. My favorite song of this album.

It seems that the riff of the next "Learning To Bloom" is not unknown...I'll leave you the surprise but to me it sounds as an old Tull song. Just take a deep breath... Heavier sounds will live aside with the most subtle and harmonious ones. Great combination, I must say. While "Wedding Game" is my least favourite song, "Catharsis" is so emotional... Vibrant synth and guitar work. Another highlight.

A gentle and naïve instant, full of harmony : this is how "Wrong Time, Wrong Place" sounds like. Same format as the title track. Great keyboards, reminiscent of Genesis. We'll switch a bit to Yes during the intro of the closing number ("Heart Of The Sunrise") . French title but an all instrumental track. It is the most complex song of the whole album. Lots of theme changes and good guitar : in one word, it is a pleasant way to close this work.

It is a bit sad that this band has so little exposure. Some ratings, but very little reviews. They really deserve more attention form you guys. So, do try their work.

If beautiful music is part of your gene, this album is made for you. It is of course not an essential album, but a good start in those poor progless times of the eighties. This work might not be fully original but it will provide you some good vibes. At least I felt so while listning to it.

Three stars.

Report this review (#135268)
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2007 | Review Permalink
apps79
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Hailing from the province of Quebec,VISIBLE WIND were an exception among the well-known Canadian bands coming from this area,as they sounded quite British,basing their sound on late-70's GENESIS and the neo prog bands of early-80's.''Catharsis'' was released in 1988 and it's one of the rare Canadian prog products around the same time.

The music seems to have been built around an intense romanticism and the simplistic forms of progressive rock,which can be approachable by a wider audience.Basic ingredients are the distorted guitars,the beautiful synths and the magnificent voice of Christopher Wells,who can be very theatrical,grandiose and expressive at times (by the way, vocals are in English in opposite with the mass of the Quebecois bands).Do not expect to face any virtuosic keyboard and guitar solos listening to this album.The musicianship can be described actually as an excellent paradigm of easy listening yet trully emotional neo progressive rock with good melodies and deep feelings.Some slight KING CRIMSON influences and a more GENESIS-oriented sound (circa ''Wind and wuthering'') can be traced here and there and are greatly wrapped in the short-form compositions and the elaborated harmony of this work...Personally,this album spoke to my heart from the very first moment and anyone interested in light symphonic/slightly pop/melodic progressive rock supported by a fantastic vocal performance should purchase this album.An excellent release by this forgotten band!

Report this review (#146603)
Posted Tuesday, October 23, 2007 | Review Permalink

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