NUANCE

Mostly the album is made up of fairly simplistically structured songa and passages, but with lots of prog flourishes. There is nothing on the album that might blow you away with it's technicality, but there is also something strangely endearing about the music as well. Perhaps it is Jean-Louis Blanc's retro, almost cheesy synth patches, or Rafael Marco's quirky guitar solos.

The band seems to have understood that their real prize was bassist Cathy Guerre. The bass is pushed very far out in front in the mix of each track. While, again, not technically exciting, she plays her way around all of the rhythms on a flanged fretless bass, and makes sure the songs are listenable.

A pleasant album.

The first album of the band contains a huge influence from ANGE's Theatrical Symphonic Rock, played in an old-fashioned way with some nice movements and a great balance between vocal and instrumental moments.The style is built around symphonic arrangements with not so difficult structures, characterized by the massive ANGE-like organ waves, the interesting guitar work and the sensitive French vocals.And as with ANGE, Nuance's music offers plenty of soft acoustic textures with both a lyrical and folky twist.On the other hand the somewhat 80's sounding electric parts (close to the likes of late-70's/early-80's CAMEL/PINK FLOYD) and the light use of synthesizers show clearly the mood of the band to create something closer to a new prog era than being stuck as an act to the past.The compositions are well-executed yet a bit safe, lacking any drastic interplays, with slow-driving instrumental passages and a relaxing but still very emotional atmosphere overall to go along with some very good vocal arrangements and a fair dose of changing climates.

This album is definitely a must-have for all fans of the so called ''70's French Prog'' sound but it is sure to please also Symphonic Rock and Neo Prog fans.Recommended.