MARATHONNERRE II

Originally released as one half of a double set with Marathonnerre I, this is a studio recording of pieces performed as part of a continuous 12 hour performance event. This is quite different to the Art Zoyd of old; the stripped down 3 piece line up relies heavily on electronics, and the distinctive string and horn parts are largely absent. The piano and percussion still provide the main rhythmic impetus, however, and the Bartok/Stravinsky influences are still present and correct, although there's also an element of Steve Reich style minimalism in this incarnation of the group.

Although the original performances may have been good, most of this album is rather flat and often feels lifeless. The best tracks are those which sound most like the earlier version of the band - AZPP/Mariee a la Nuit has a sense of urgency and musical development that is missing from too much of this album. Elsewhere the album is stronger on atmosphere than on content - the sound is often extremely beguiling, but it doesn't necessarily stand up to close or repeated listening.

Newcomers to Art Zoyd would be better off starting with Phase IV or Generation Sans Futur. Established RIO fans will find things to enjoy on this album, but it's something of a let down compared to their earlier work.

It was such a pleasure re-visiting "Marathonneree I" and 'Marathonnerre II" over this past month. This was an interdisciplinary performance by the band under the direction of Serge Noyelle. A 12 hour marathon from noon to midnight, and for the first, and I believe only time, ART ZOYD are down to a trio for this. This was done live and in their own studio. Gerard Hourbette, Thierry Zaboitzeff and Patricia Dallio are our musicians and it sure sounds like a much larger band than this. Quite a few samples though are involved, and I was surprised at all of the composed music on here, half expecting a lot of improvisation and repetitive stuff. Not so.

I slightly prefer this to the first record as we get less of that world music vibe on here. And yes they are right in the middle of their electronic phase which will continue after this with classics like "Faust", "Haxan" and "Metroplois". I love both of their periods but tend to prefer their electronic style over the classical chamber style from earlier. So yes this is right up my alley, and while "I" was an hour of music culled from the first six hours of the marathon, "II" of course is an hour taken from the second half of this performance. This is dark with plenty of keys and electronics, with all three playing those, but strings and bass too.

Unlike "I" where it started off with sparse and distant sounds, this one hits the ground running and turns more powerful rather quickly. Intense, and there's so much going on after 2 minutes. "Aka Jour De Pluie" is more of a soundscape with voices and that world music vibe. We get the three part "Anamorphose" worth about 9 1/2 minutes in total starting out surprisingly catchy but ending in a very ART ZOYD manner with power and intensity.

"Porte De Chatillon" has a dark rhythm with nervous strings. A bit of a classical bent to "AZPP" and what sounds like applause to end it. The two longer tracks on here are incredible beginning with the 8 minute "Mariee A La Nuit" where we get a bass line, strings and multiple sounds. So good, this is why I love this band. The other long one is "Le Lac Des Signes" at 10 1/2 minutes. It starts out dark with piano and a female vocal melody. It starts to build a couple of minutes in. It turns surprisingly powerful after 4 1/2 minutes.

I have such a fascination with ART ZOYD, UNIVERS ZERO and THINKING PLAGUE. All three bands have a different way to convey that dark and complex music. Easily a 4 star affair.