AU BOUT DU COULOIR

Starting off with a Genesis riff..........

Excellent art work and an almost forgotten French band who released two albums through Musea some full-moons ago. This is their debut album. An album rooted in both symphonic prog and in particular; neo-prog. The sound on this album is most certainly neo-prog. The vocals are in French though and Ange comes in as a natural reference. Raison De Plus has not gone as theatrical as Ange though. Raison De Plus also sounds a lot more British neo- prog and symphonic than their French counterparts. Raison De Plus also have a lot of references to Camel in their sound. But their music is far more complex than Camel's music. In short, this album has a pretty complex sound.

The quality is pretty good throughout. Raison De Plus has their own identity. Unfortunate, they have not included any great songs here. Songs that is full of both electric guitars and keyboards. All the instruments are competently handled by the band. The vocals are great though. I am not entirely convinced by this album, but will give their second album a chance. This is a good album and I suspect I need to give it a lot more time than I have given it so far. Maybe this is a grower.

3 stars

1. Opening with SAGA, yes I tell you, cool, good and softer, but the intention is there; a little flute from Philippe and the orchestral tune begins; small digression and we have some notes from the start of the Laze ball, but hey that disperses 2. Iron and Flames starts with neo prog, that's for sure; the texts in French, important, can be disturbing, but we already understand, secondly we are in Molière's work so let's get this fact out of the way; reminiscences of ANGE emerge; melodic prog space before vocal feedback; but given the release of the album, not bad at all 3. In the search... arpeggio and vocal limit a cappella which leads to a nursery rhyme where the jerky piano now reminds me of the works of the great SHELLER, surprising; the break with a neo keyboard in a MARILLION vein 4. The prisoner with the flute leads for an aerial opening; it goes up on a piece that would have been magnified in English, taking the vocal as an instrument; so make the effort to avoid finding a used vintage side; beautiful terminal flute on a very fat keyboard 5. Who is the murderer? Who Is the Assassin?... choose with this symphonic start; I'm looking for AFTERGLOW yes ARRAKEEN for the instrumental yes; the voice and the rhythm will look on the fundamentals ANGE of course; a still orchestral finale with a little GENESIS, all the markers are there

6. C'est dans l'air takes on a country ballad between prog folk and Charisma nursery rhyme; it's kitsch, the well- done keyboard reminds me of the neo groups of the 80s, a good 15 years ago; here's a festive tune with a pleasant medieval flute, making you want to have a pint while listening 7. Autumn occurs guitar arpeggio interlude on a 'Horizons' 8. Huitième Ciel begins with SAGA and 'Ego et deus' by ANGE; yes it's definitely a RAISON DE PLUS album but I'm talking about reminiscences to try to explain where you're going if you come across it; orchestral with melodic synth solo which will find a beautiful sound space very far away; the guitar is not left out and offers a languorous solo taken up by the keyboard, interesting and innovative 9. At the end of the corridor comes piano and a consensual piece, vocals in front; the symphonic keyboard offers a very convoluted neo break, superb during the 80s or 90s; second break with an electric piano before the guitar solo and the truly unique SAGA variation 10. Animal Hunting or Animal Hunting as you want; a beautiful melody with guitar, harpsichord and finally this crystalline sound, ideal for following the hunt on the water; an enjoyable guitar solo on Rothery, ah yes on CAMEL but no I find this comparison behind the said group 11. After the battle begins barrel organ, ANGEL, GENESIS and KING CRIMSON used it; the very French rhythm like 'They have the round hats' at the start, right at the start since the suite leaves for a new neo-symphonic space where the hints of GENESIS come to light.