PHILIPPE GRANCHER

Philippe Grancher's sole piece of work, 3000 Miles Away, caught my attention when I saw the album's unique artwork. I had it under my radar since late 2024, but only recently did I get around to listening to it. This album has such a fantastical approach to progressive rock, and it overall expands mainly on minimalist and electronic ideas. The first half of this album is the side that exercises these approaches. The three compositions found on side one feel like multi-sectioned pieces that switch between ambience and classical harmonies that are full of depth, emotion, and a strangely satisfying and pleasing feel and sound. Each of the tracks feels as if they connect into this mythical world of a lost art Philippe created on this record, and each number, while remaining consistent in the original sound he made, always brings a different perspective on what was found in the passages before it. It's a real shame he never expanded on this form of music again after his career, because he had real potential, as shown here.

Side two also has incredibly good points on here. It brings in more rock themes and introduces dynamics between the low and moody characteristics found on side one and this new jazzy, folk, and conventional work on side two. The progressive nature of some sections feels otherworldly at points, and in combination with the climate, it makes for some great sections. However, throughout the album, I felt some of the sections were a bit too disconnected and short. Because I don't have a physical copy, I had to go off online platforms, and it was hard for me to tell when one song ended and one song began because each song has at least one shift of musical direction midway through. And unlike side one (which would shift in terms of the material being played but never too far from the past passages), it feels to me that these parts could've stayed more consistent. Ignoring this problem, though, side two is also pretty strong.

In conclusion, I don't think there is a single album out there that is quite like this one. It is legitimately 3000 miles away from any other work! I was fascinated by the authentic music Phillipe made for his testament to time. It has its flaws here and there, but overall this is an exceptionally excellent album that has many positive aspects to it. While this is far from an essential progressive rock album, I still recommend listening to it for the experience. This is in between a 3.75/5 and a straightforward 4/5 for me.