MADAME CLAUS

Madame Claus is an unknown prog band from Argentina releasing so far a single studio album in 2005 names Quemando Oscuridad. I was quite pleasent surprise about this album because everything from here is well done. The musicianship is great, the music also great from symphonic prog passages to a more heavy prog or even pop arrangements, but always the sophisticated parts existed from start to finish. The voice of Daniel Fernández is powerfull and has a special tone, that gives a certain latin atmosphere of the album. The album alternates very well from uptempo and energic moments like on Caravana to a more melacholic parts like on Aunque Muera la Piedad, each time musicians done a very good job. All pieces stands as good, not a weak moment here, and the band proves that they had potential, somehow they were lost in the jungle of the genre, never heared anything about them since this album. I strongly recommend this album, of course this is not a masterpiece, but is a very strong album with pleasent moments, some of thenn even quite original and good. 3.5 rounded to 4 this time.

Argentine band Madame Claus creates a very pleasant form of modern symphonic prog, at times leaning somewhat close to pop-rock and melodic hard rock, yet retaining the flair of sophistication necessary to keep an essential attainment to prog rock. Their album "Quemando Oscuridad" is an attractive legacy of what this band is all about. The recurrent line of work is based on a solid melodic approach and a constraint use of complexity in teh arrangements. Also, the sense of ensemble is well-ordained, which is helped by the fact that each and every number is built on a precise melodic vibe. Lead vocalist Daniel Fernández has a very charismatic feel, and it's fair to say that this is a very important factor for the elaboration of the material's artsy pretensions. Some of the band's main influences come from its own homecountry - Serú Girán, Almendra and Spinetta-Jade -, but also from early 80s Alan Parsons, 78-79 era Genesis and late 70s Pink Floyd. The lyrics convey existencial and social issues in a way that feels very honest, which is helped by the dramatic nuances that the lead guitar and keyboard layers provide here and there. In fact, it is significant that the first track kicks off with newsradio reports and the last two tracks portray a sense of contemplative melancholy. The repertoire is quite even, although you can tell some distinct highlights. One of them is the energetic 'Caravana', which combines stylish blues-rock vibrations and controlled complexity in rhythm patterns during the interlude. 'Aunque Muera la Piedad' displays an aura of sheer melancholy, so common to find in Latin American symphonic prog. This beautiful song is arguably the most accomplished example of Madame Claus working intensively on the melodic side of things. 'Última Jugada' brings some weirdness to the fore, alternating Latin-fusion percussions, bandoneon sounds and slightly hard prog rock; this is a showcase for the instrumentalists' finesse, and so is the effective instrumental 'Obertura'. My personal top highlight of the album is 'Waco', which is where the band decides to explore somber ambiences without letting go of their melodic approach. This track particularly reminds me of Redd (another Argentine band from the 70s). "Quemando Oscuridad" is, first of all, a catalogue of honest beauty in the shape of a sequence of moderately complex songs. Not a masterpiece per se, but definitely a proof that there's still potential for novelty and originality among the usual lines of modern symphonic progressive rock. Madame Claus is a band to check out, indeed: their legacy is good to excellent.

[This review has been written a few days after the announcement of Madame Claus' breakup. I dedicate this review to all band members - thank you for the music!]

Great first studio recording from these progressive band from Argentina. They have a very fresh approach to progressive rock. The sound quality is extremely good and the packaging outsanding, with full lyrics of each of the 12 songs, including illustations of great resoution. I particularly like the tracks "Waco" and "Obertura". Some influence of Alan Parsons and Pink Floyd sounds along different passages. Highly recommended.