SYNOPSIS

Synopsis were a French band who remained quite unknown during their brief existence; what else to expect when making symphonic prog during the late 70's and early 80's? This is the first one of their two albums. It includes only five tracks between 5 to 9 minutes in length. The music is keyboard-oriented but not in the bombastic way à la ELP or Rick Wakeman. The GENESIS-influenced style is closer to compatriots MONA LISA and ATOLL, also PULSAR or PENTACLE could be mentioned in the same sentence. All these are clearly better bands than Synopsis. Actually the thick layer of synth or organ gets tiring as there really are no great variety in sound. The guitar is happily not buried completely. The rhythm section is given a minor role, for example 'Melodie Saoule' is for the most part without solid percussion, but it has some nice hi-hat... and later on also a slightly faster section with complex rhythm, during which keyboards do their typical, continuous background layering as they always do. Some synth soloing sounds more like badly outdated and amateurish than a musical bliss. Maybe the production is not the best possible either.

The vocals are approaching falsetto and they're rather weak (still maybe better than the over-dramatic, spitty French of ANGE!), but they fit fairly well with the sensibility in compositions. I can't give a good comparison for the voice, if not the SPARKS in the most falsetto parts! Anyway, the longish compositions are often instrumentally oriented, CAMEL-like at times. Are they memorable? Definitely not. The mellow and melodic music is likely to please those who enjoy soft symphonic prog, if the weak vocals or uninspired synths are not too big problems, but nothing more, I'm afraid. Easily more than two stars but not quite full three stars. The second album Gamme (1981) sounds better and more lively.

SYNOPSIS were a French band who came out in the late seventies. Sadly they were pretty much ignored as Progressive Rock had grown out of fashion for many music fans. Sadly, because these guys were good and they could have made a name for themselves. They released two studio albums, the first in 1979 and this one in 1981.

"Cities" kicks in quickly but settles a minute in with vocals. I really like the organ and vocals after 1 1/2 minutes, they are so uplifting. This soundscape will come and go thankfully. We get a nice instrumental section that reminds me of early CAMEL for the last couple of minutes to end it. "November" opens with gentle sounds then the synths take over as a beat joins in. It does build some. Not a bad intrumental. "Tany Mena" is led by vocals and guitar early then the drums and keyboards join in after the vocals stop. Contrasts continue. I like this one a lot. A good guitar solo before 5 minutes as the organ floats and the drums pound.

"Noctambule" turns fuller before a minute but settles back quickly as passionate vocals arrive. "L'homme Fou" starts out with keys and light sounds. Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes and drums 3 minutes in. The vocals become almost spoken but they are passionate in the French tradition. A more powerful soundscape comes in followed by a calm after 6 1/2 minutes. A light beat and more follows and it stays trippy to the end. "Prelude" opens with drums then it settles in with a beat and synths. It settles down more then it kicks in late.

An excellent album with some passionate vocals.

Synopsis is certainly one of France's best kept secret. When this band from the East of France released their two albums, just a few people heard of them. For sure it was at a time, the end of the seventies and the early eighties, when prog was dead, before its renaissance thanks to the neoprog movement and the birth of structures such as prog labels or magazines. Musea precisely, the French prog label, tried to do justice by releasing their first album, "Minuit Ville" (1979). In my humble opinion, this opus doesn't reflect Synopsis' talent especially because of poor vocals. On contrary, "Gamme" (1981) is a must. Their new singer, often close to Atoll's, gives deepness and emotion to an already rich music through poetic lyrics. For instance 'Prélude', ironically put at the end of the record, recalls Atoll's 'Le Cerf Volant', certainly one of the best French prog song ever. Describing their music is easy: mostly keyboards based (mainly synthesizers) supported by acoustic and fuzz guitars on a typical early eighties rhythmic section (don't be afraid, just a touch of it!), in a mellow, melancholy atmosphere. All amateurs of French prog, that is theatrical symphonic rock, should have this gem in their collection. A pity this album is not available on the CD form. Another job for Musea's dynamic team!

Mostly mellow and string synth laden symphonic prog, "Minuit Ville" is yet another late 70s offering from the French progressive scene. While Ange and Mona Lisa dramatics do appear, particularly in the opening track and the intro to the finale, SYNOPSIS generally occupies a more delicate and ambient niche that do the godfathers of the scene. They do not sound like a knock-off of any groups of their age, even if RPI forces also play a role.

Michel Bail sings in a near falsetto which actually suits the fragility of the melodies, particularly on the highlight, "Desert", which features the most assertive song structure and memorable tune of the disk, with a majestic shift from verse to chorus, and a shimmering synth section leading to a more intricate bass-led closing passage. While keyboards do dominate, Christian Hoff makes his presence felt often enough, particularly in "Ville D'Oracle", which begins in almost jazzy fits and starts before his gentle arpeggios introduce the sung portion, after which his lead sashays atop an Alan Parsons styled bass riff. He reveals more prowess on "Melodie Saoule", and here Michel Resler's bass is far more inventive, and the rhythm more complex.

If I may provide a brief closing synopsis, this debut may be a tad too timid for some, but is recommended to those who enjoy the mellower proponents of the sub genre, conveyed with continental class . 3.5 stars.