LAZULI

Despite Lazuli creating a small surprise in the last two years with their slightly ethnic-laced light prog, the group had not started at all in that direction. Amnésie, their first album is from 2003 and it sounds a very different animal: an electric pop laced with some trip hop beats and plenty of effects. There are few interesting things the proghead might catch at first glance, like the use of a Chapman stick, 12-strings guitars, many electronic doodlings, a few deep ambiances and that most of the seven group members are multi-instrumentalist, plus a bunch of guests (including the sister and another brother of the two Leonetti brothers), but despite these facts most of the tracks remains desperately pop tracks of the kind that fills the French radio airwaves.

While some tracks might be appealing to just about anyone, don't go look for deep lyrics and anything but deeper songwriting. A faraway beast than that of its follow-up, Amnésie is best put aside to first start with En Avant Doute and maybe even waiting for the third one (coming up soon as I write this in Oct 09), Just a pop album, like those thousands flooding the planet, neither good nor bad, Amnésie might just as well suffer from your own amnesia about its existence.

This is much better than their debut i'll say that much.These guys have such a unique sound with the percussions,marimba,vibes,warr guitar,chapman stick and a homemade instrument called a leode that can make synth-like sounds to distorted guitar-like sounds.No keyboards.The vocalist does remind me a little of Descamps from ANGE,they even cover one of their songs, so they're no doubt influenced by this great fellow-French band.For me the toughest thing to digest is the vocals.They're not bad at all,it's just that they are often almost spoken and the focus of the song.Just not a fan of them that's all. "En Avant Doute" is a good example of the vocals being the focus as sounds come and go in a pastoral setting. "Laisse Courir" opens with percussion and leode as reserved vocals come in.Some atmosphere here and good contrasts as well.One of the better tracks. "Le Repas De L'ogre" opens with almost spoken words and vibes while the leode creates some atmosphere.It kicks in briefly as contrasts continue. "Capitaine Coeur De Miel(Part II)" is the ANGE cover but much shorter than the original.The vocals are almost spoken as leode cries out in the background.It's building until it gets intense before 2 minutes.This is the best part of the album.It ends as it began. "La Valse A Cent Ans" features vibes and fragile vocals.Not a fan. "Film D'aurore" again has these almost spoken vocals but it kicks in quickly.It sounds good 2 1/2 minutes in to the end.More intense. "Quest Terne" is my least favourite,it just doesn't go anywhere. "L'arbre" has these high pitched vocals and i like when it kicks in at 2 minutes. "Cassiopee" opens with some atmosphere as these light vocals come in.A heavier sound does take over and these contrasts continue. Just can't get into this band the way most can.

Following up the excellent En Avant Doute, Lazuli's new album retains and develops upon their characteristic sound. The compositions are longer and more complex, and the band has drawn on some interesting influences. In particular, On Nous Ment Comme On Respire has a Middle Eastern rhythm to it and uses recorded voices (George Bush, among others) in a way that might remind some of another French band, DEMIANS. Similarly, Toujours Un Gars Sur Un Pont strays into electronic territory with some interesting beats. Meanwhile, songs like Abime and Aimants would have fitted comfortably onto En Avant Doute and are perhaps a sign of the limitations of trying to hold on to such a distinctive sound (although both songs are excellent).

Overall, the album has many qualities and is surely Lazuli's most ambitious effort to date. Unfortunately, it doesn't leave me feeling as satisfied as its predecessor does (although this is more a reflection of how good En Avant Doute is). Réponse Incongrue A L'inéluctable is therefore a perfectly congruous response to the inevitable task of following up the band's second album. Lazuli remain one of the most original sounding bands in the Archives today.

LAZULI are a French band formed in 1998 with an aim to create totally original and unique-sounding music.Their first,at least officialy,release ''Amnesie'' was published in 2004 and I would compare to AFTER CRYING in terms of musical approach,though their styles are surely different.LAZULI mix their love for ethnic and world music with light progressive rock and modern pop.The vocals are quite poppish and modern yet absolutely great,the ethnic orientation is strongly supported by a mass of unusual instrumentals from the four edges of the world (strange sounding flute- and mandolin- like instruments),while the intense presence of the Chapman stick adds an extra flavor of sounding obscurity.The music circle closes with some light electric guitars and distinctive,psychedelic percussion work.A very original record indeed from a super-talented new band!

This French band didn't really impressed me with their previous album which was very much world music oriented.

It is rather different with En Avant Doute (which doesn't mean anything, it is a play-on-word actually). The opening number and title track sets the pace: great play-on-words, Crimsonesque music. It is a good summary of what we'll get on this good album. Laisse Courir reminds me of

The band keeps on with the magnificent Le Repas De L'Ogre. IMO, it is the best track of the band. Intriguing lyrics (at last!!!), scary and exceptionally dark music. The influences are obvious: Crimson for the music and Ange for the theatrical vocals and lyrics. It is a wonderful piece of music and a highlight of course.

The next song is a cover from Ange. Captain Coeur de Miel was the central piece of their very good Guet-Apens album. The last of their classic era. Although the original song lasts for about fourteen minutes, this cover only lasts for about a third of its original length. The vocal parts are the best ones and compared to the original version what is really missing is the fantastic closing guitar solo. Since this album is so short, they really could have developed this great song a little more.

The band is still in the very good territories with La Valse à Cent Ans. While the band totally ignored Ange in their first album, it sounds different here. Again, the whole Ange world is close: weird lyrics (which was a characteristic totally alien during Amnésie) with lots of play-on-words (like the masters). Another highlight.

The album goes on finely with another dark song: Film d' Aurore which is another scary number on the heavy side this time.

Other play on words with Ouest Terne (literally lifeless West but referring to Western-the US). Lyrics are full of these play-on-words mixing the wild West and the French (or best said Parisian) press world (Fogiel for whom who might know this TV guy whom I can't stand). But it is almost impossible for a non- French (or neighbour as I am Belgian) to get into these lyrics.

L' Arbre brings us back to their debut album and the world music feeling. Middle-East musical sounds and very high pitched vocals (as on most of the songs). One has to bear this aspect which could not be easily digested by most listeners.

In all, this album is much better than their Amnésie one. Much more interesting lyrics and obvious references to two prog giants for the instrumental parts are a much better experience.

Four stars.

Since this French band will open the concert of Riverside in my home country in December, I decided to have a look at it. Pure curiosity. Don't expect out of the world lyrics like several other bands from France. They aren't weak but rather conventional. This album is hard to catalogue: from complex French chanson with an undeniable charm which is mainly due to the good percussion work ("Naïf", and "Naïf 2").

The music from this album is very close to world music, mainly due to the origin of some rare instruments that are used. Still, this characteristic is also saving some tracks to be just average ("Un Automne" for example which features some fine marimba).

Several tracks sounds very much Middle-Eastern ("Chansons Nettes", "Rien D' Important" or"Merci") but none of them can really be considered as great songs.

One of my favourite song from this album is "Mal De Chien". It is a nice symphonic ballad, which features again some smooth marimba (this instrument is widely used on this album) and a powerful and dark second half.

There is a live track available as well. Again the Eastern influences during "Nos Voix Se Mélangent" is present. The chorus though is very catchy and emotional, and in terms of "voix" (voice), the lead singer is performing quite well here. The crescendo finale is pretty bombastic and very effective. It is another highlight here.

The band is also exploring almost each season of the year. "Un Hiver" features great percussion, but the overall mood sounds too much the same at this time of the recording. Press next to avoid the spring "Un Printemps". These tracks belong to the weaker part of the album (including "Un Eté").

The most Crimsonesque song is by no doubt the dark "L' Impasse". The second half is particulary imposing but this seems to be a trade mark with Lazuli. A very good track.

"Amnésie" is hard to apprehend and requires a few listening to get into. But to be honest, I'm not a great fan of this world music oriented genre. I would say that this album is average. Five out of ten?

Other than the first track i really have a hard time with this one.It is different with the electronic vibe and the constant minimalistic music throughout.The french vocals don't do a lot for me although they aren't an issue.A lot of drums,percussion and acoustic guitars on this one.This probably deserves 3 stars but i just can't get into it at all,so i recommend this to fans only.I hear their next one is much better though.

en avant doute (going forward despite everything)

Lazuli is a French band formed in 1998 who with "en avant doute" released a work that made many "best of 2007" lists. I can certainly understand why. Their myspace site describes the band as "somewhere between progressive rock & electro-world, poetry & travel.visiting new territories with a rather unusual instrumentation: Warr guitar, Chapman stick, marimba, vibraphone, percussions, guitars, vocals..& especially a unique instrument created by Claude Leonetti : the LEODE." (the Leode is an instrument created by Leonetti who lost the use of one arm in an accident, so that he could play guitar with one hand.and it sounds amazing.) They note that "songs are canvas on which they mix colors to paint their own world." High-minded sentiments to be sure but quite accurate. This album possesses an exciting sound all its own in an age where it's not all that easy to break through the din anymore. The release is also great value because they throw in a bonus DVD with performance and documentary stuff.

The title track is first and this is a song about losing a loved one. The title is described as a nonsensical phrase meaning to "go forward despite everything." Vocals are usually present and very good. The track starts with electronica-like sounds gurgling behind the vocal with a Bjorkish feel until the band kicks in a bit later. The album really engages on "Laisse Courir" which is a song about the rat race in life that we all put ourselves through. The beautiful LEODE really comes through here and gives the album such a unique sound. It sounds a bit like a combination of slide guitar and keyboard, and Leonetti sounds to me influenced by Robert Fripp. What is so amazing about the LEODE is the total freedom and agility of sound Claude is able to extract, it's just wild to hear and worth the price of admission by itself. You won't believe the notes he finds, he pulls them to Earth from distant planets and ocean bottoms. Incredible. But I don't recommend Lazuli on the strength of their guitarists alone, they are all accomplished musicians with some very good songs. "Le Repas de l' Ogre" in a not-so-veiled shot at our own President Bush with quiet vocal sections contrasted with loud rocking parts. Next up is an Ange cover song (a shortened version) called "Capitaine Coeur de Miel" from their "Guet-Apens" album. Their love of Ange is obvious in the passionate playing and singing. "La Valse a Cent Ans" is a love song where Dominique Leonetti does a great job in a higher range of notes and there is an immaculate balance between this expressive vocal and the Leode accenting. He also accompanies himself on acoustic with interesting instruments and percussion behind him. If I'm vague about the instruments I'm hearing it's because I can't figure out what the hell is making half the sounds I'm hearing! It's that kind of album, but such is the fun! "Film d'aurore" has a bit of a creepy vibe with a quick-paced tight drumming and industrial grating behind a heavy bass line. The track gets heavier and heavier with a definite Crimson-like cacophony, though this album is not like KC overall. Much of it is quieter and more folk-influenced, but with a modern sound. "Quest Terne" is a break-up song described as the "sun setting on the life of a couple." A softer track with a nice vocal. "L'Arbre" (the tree) is a tribute to nature and how our perceived evolution has actually been the opposite. We have set up a system that cannot sustain itself and refuse to take our heads out of the sand, lest we upset someone's profit potential. It's my favorite song here and not because just because of the subject: this is simply jubilant playing with nice hooks and Peter Gabriel style rhythms. "Cassiopee" is another treat with great escalation of the music until the frenzied latter part, while remaining grounded with the acoustic guitar and strong vocal melody.

The DVD is a fun bonus to have. You get a live performance (although I don't see the crowd.empty venue?) and a documentary. This is more like a road journal that shows us that while these guys play sophisticated music, they're still having fun like kids on the road. We see them partying in one city and getting back to their hotel rooms a little crazy pushing one another down the hallway on the luggage rack. There is also an informative history of the Leode instrument and how it came to be, very cool. And a promo video for "le repas de l'ogre" which proves the band has a way to go in the production of compelling rock video. The booklet contains complete lyrics in French with brief English descriptions about the subject matter, a very nice touch for those of us who understand English-only. And what a fantastic album cover!! It says a whole lot in that one photo if you really stop to think about it for a spell.

This is a band with much promise who I expect to only get better. I would like to hear maybe one or two instrumental tracks on their next album, here I believe all or most were quite vocal and I'd like to hear what they can do without that structure. But as they continue to master their unique sound and even expand it, my hope is that they maintain a strong emphasis on melody, on keeping it tethered to Earth in a sense. I think it's that combination of eclectic sound and folkish warmth that make this band so appealing to so many this year. 3 ¾ stars.

Having heard Lazuli's latest CD "En Avant Doute" I was quite eager to get their previous record, "Amnesie" as well and... discovered that it was almost impossible to buy! Finally I managed to get it from the French Amazon store and feel really happy about it, because I find this album even more interesting than "En Avant Doute". Yes, "Amnesie" is not as powerful as it's successor, but here music is much more nuanced, more imaginative. I find it a real gem of the latter-day prog and it's a disgrace that it is so little known (and so unavailable!). I, for the most part, agree with the previous reviewers about influences on this record, adding probably the great French precussionist Pierre Morlen. And I would like to thank Lazuli's guys for not choosing to sing in English - with the language they have also preserved certain French flair which is present in their music even if you don't concentrate on the vocals. So - almost full five stars!

The album, when it came out, was named The Album Of The Month by a German magazine Eclipsed, so I decided to check it out. Well - it can easily qualify for the Album of the Year as well! The music here is mostly quite powerful, louder and harder than the band's previous effort "Amnesie", but still melodic; not overly complex, and yet with fantastically arranged multilayered structure. The self-made instrument Leode produces the sound which again and again sends shivers down your spine, especially on "Capitain Coeur De Miel" (borrowed from a late-70's recording of another great French band Ange), where it reaches the hights of the most wonderful David Gilmour's solos. The various percussion gives a bit Pierre Moerlen-esque feel, although it is not as distinct as in "Amnesie". And the great, clear voice of Dominique Leonetti eliminates any doubts concerning the language; somehow French goes absolutely perfectly with this music. My personal favourites here are Laisse Courir, Capitain Coeur De Miel, and L'arbre. The bonus DVD contains a great live show, a couple of videos, a documentary and other extras. By the way - I saw Lazuli live twice this year and can absolutely assure - they are just as great live as on a cd, so if they do a gig or a festival near to your place - go and see them! As for rating of the album - being rather critical I wouldn't give it full 5 stars; yet 4 stars seem a bit too low. OK, I'm generous today - 5 stars and hope that their next effort will be at least as good as this.