LA REVANCHE DES PONEYS MORTS

Neoclassical composition is not something that is new to the French multi-instrumentalist Sébastien Gramond. Through a number of so-called 'virtual symphonies', Gramond used a computer program to emulate the sound of an orchestra, to a very mixed result. Often, the symphonies would be well-composed, but would fall far short in terms of the way the music was presented by the programmed instruments. Of course, a full orchestra is still a pipe dream at this point for most indie artists, but 'La Revance Des Poneys Morts' sees Sébastien Gramond taking his neoclassical writing down a route of more authentic instrumentation. The end result is an album which is quite refreshing, although parts of it are sure to test a listener's patience.

Instead of the entire ordeal being programmed through a computer as they have been with previous classical arrangements, Sébastien Gramond brings through his vision using real instruments and his voice. Although 'real instruments' still largely entails keyboard synthesizers, there are also violins and pianos at work here that gives it the impression of chamber music. All of the instruments here are played by Gramond himself, so the wide range of sounds heard here is even more impressive.

A problem with the music here is that it does test ones patience; the arrangement can feel like it plods on far too long past its due, there are not the same sorts of dynamic flourishes here that could be heard on much of Gramond's other classically-oriented work. As it stands though, 'La Revance' shows a clear step in the right direction for his compositional efforts.