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micky
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Topic: 2nd Round Classics: Ceux Du Dehors v. Depois do Fi Posted: July 25 2015 at 07:39 |
Alrighty. Today we continue the 2nd round of the classics and we move to the bottom of the bracket. First up... two greats from the non Anglo set... From Belgium Univers Zero!!
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RIO/Avant-Prog
3.98 | 126 ratings
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From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website
Rune2000
Special Collaborator Prog Metal Team
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Sometimes you need to take a step back in order to take two forward and Ceux Du Dehors is a perfect example of this notion.
Univers Zero took a major hit with the departure of Roger Trigaux who
left the band in order to concentrate on his own vision which resulted
in a new RIO/Avant-garde band called Present. Having said that I
honestly can't imagine how the band could even intend to push further in
the direction that was set by Heresie. The decision was
therefore made to go back to the familiar territory set by their
brilliant debut album and to try push forward from there.
Once again we get the powerhouse of Daniel Denis and Michel Berckmans
showing how much they have evolved their individual styles since the
debut album. I remember that at one point, last summer, I was so
inspired by Michel Berckmans' bassoon that I seriously began considering
taking up the instrument myself but after realizing just how expensive
even the cheapest version of the instrument would cost made me quickly
forget the whole idea!
Ceux Du Dehors, which is roughly translated to "Those outside",
is also noteworthy for the first appearance of Andy Kirk who might not
seem all that remarkable just yet but his contribution will definitely
become an important part of Univers Zero's sound and direction over the
next couple of years.
The album's shorter compositions do a great job of gluing the pieces
together but it's those two 10+ minutes performances that are the
definite highlights of this release. The opening composition titled Dense has one of the most recognized intro sections which might explain why Ruins chose to cover it in their Progressive Rock Medley on the album Pallaschtom.
The whole composition is complete brain candy for thought and senses
which will make you want to return to this album time and time again.
After two shorter composition comes the second highlight in the form of Combat. The music here might not be as dense as on the opening track but what it lacks in quality Combat
definitely makes up in the overall mood and style. I get the feeling
that the band is trying to convey a story of a battle where the middle
section of the piece is one of the most chilling moments Univers Zero
has ever put on a record.
The concluding section of the album give us two 3+ minute compositions which serve as a brief reminder of the music on Heresie,
but due to their short lengths the tracks don't have time to build up
the momentum which is obligatory to make this type of material work. The
closing piece titled Triomphe Des Mouches is the only section
of this album where the band is trying to push their music even further.
Although I applaud them for doing it, the direction here doesn't feel
completely developed and the performance just gives us a brief taste of
something the band never quite delivered on with the release of the next
album.
Ceux Du Dehors is one of the band's essential recordings and
although I have my doubts regarding originality and innovation this is
still Univers Zero we're talking about here! Besides, what it lacks in
originality it more than makes up for in quality. Considering that most
transitional albums are difficult Univers Zero managed to create the
best possible recording they could here. If anything, I would always
pick it over The Yes Album, Caress Of Steel and Rubber Soul...combined! ***** star songs: Dense (12:26) Combat (12:53) ****
star songs: La Corne Du Bois Des Pendus (8:42) Bonjour Chez Vous (3:52)
La Musique d'Erich Zann (3:29) La Tete Du Corbeau (3:12) Triomphe Des
Mouches (5:36)
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and from Brazil! Bacamarte!! and who better to review it than our favorite Brazilian ex-admin and all around great guy!! GUIGO!!!
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Symphonic Prog
4.34 | 662 ratings
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From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website
Atkingani
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
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I find it quite surprising that until a couple of years ago I'd never
heard this album.
well, I knew that BACAMARTE existed, I knew their other album ("Sete
Cidades", much more a solo project) and I knew that band's female voice,
Jane Duboc, trailed a successful career as a pop singer. I knew also
about "Depois Do Fim" but hadn't the curiosity to listen to it. My
fault, my fault, I lost certainly a bunch of enjoyable moments. The
reasons for this disdain I cannot really list, maybe I was stuck in the
70s prog-scene in Brazil, with the likes of Mutantes, O Terço, Barca do
Sol, etc. however, time moved and I felt compelled to follow on. Well, what to say, this album is astonishing, amazing, admirable
and for me, as a Brazilian, touching - I see parts of my beloved
country in almost every tune, every detail of "Depois Do Fim". I
wouldn't point any band member in particular, they all shine intensely
and I wouldn't care too much with the general production, far from being
flawless; the songs and the overall atmosphere are those that really
count. Also this album is very conceptual dealing with world's end and
the aftermath of much abuses on Earth, even if lyrics made it apparently
difficult to be caught, the sound that leaves the songs explains
clearly the concept after a few hearings. 'UFO', the opening
track, starts with some beautiful fingerstyled acoustic guitar chords
well in the Brazilian tradition of great
violonistas of the past, like Canhoto or Dilermando Reis. The
song moves to a kind of serenade, sweetened by Guarany-styled flutes
only to give room to majestic synths and a warm rockish swing. There's a
new movement, where keyboards and fingered guitars do the show. Soon,
once again the splendid flutes return to take part in the musical feast
along with the remarkable synth sounds heard before. What a banquet for
the ears! 'Smog alado' shows clearly the band's influences in a
line close to Jethro Tull, Camel and EL&P. Duboc's vocals appear in a
kind of Renaissance mood (another influence), strong, decisive,
attractive. Song's final part is very symphonic and catchy. 'Miragem' opens with some oriental tunes soon replaced by guitars boiling like a trio elétrico, which permeates half of the track, until a flute intoning a modinha
tune is added giving a delightful feeling of places already seen,
people already met, things already done. The electrified fever closes
the song. 'Pássaro de luz', a song fitted especially for Jane
Duboc's voice (in fact, she got a hit years later with this song), has
nice fingered acoustic guitars, the general sensation is puerile,
dreamy, uplifting. 'Cano', the short track that follows, is the moment
for the musicians show a bit their skills although the song could be
extended,
since the theme is fair. 'Último entardecer' brings back the
symphonic trend, the whole song (the longest in the album) smells like a
half-epic, accompanied by philosophic lyrics, dealing with death,
madness, fear, hope. Some nice synth chords begin the solo part,
followed by guitars and piano segments. Duboc's vocals sound like a
warning, an announcement just to introduce the dialog among instruments.
Song ends with the 'last sunset' departing while a 'new sunrise'
appears. 'Controvérsia' opens with a notorious bossa-nova beat,
followed by a salad of sounds that bears resemblance with a jam-session.
Anyway, a certain sensation of filler is present. 'Depois do fim', the
title-song, is pure symphonic with all those changes in signatures
progressive hearers love. The atmosphere is dark, vocals are haunting,
and instrumentation is precious, energetic, well in accordance with the
scatological theme - the possible end of times,
the apocalypse. 'Mirante das estrelas', the bonus closing track,
fits well because it summarizes the entire content of the album, piece
by piece - it's like a puzzle being solved. All tunes and chords heard
along this output is revived smoothly and vividly. The soft and sad
parts near the song's end are expected to bring peace, at last. Final rating is unequivocal, this is clearly a masterpiece: 5 stars.
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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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Meltdowner
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Posted: July 25 2015 at 07:47 |
After the end
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zravkapt
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Posted: July 25 2015 at 09:03 |
Uzi
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Magma America Great Make Again
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Atkingani
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Joined: October 21 2005
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Points: 12288
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Posted: July 25 2015 at 09:25 |
Hey, Micky, thanks for remembering me! I'm very flattered!
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Guigo
~~~~~~
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rogerthat
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Joined: September 03 2006
Location: .
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Points: 9869
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Posted: July 25 2015 at 09:40 |
Depois is a very sweet album even if rather derivative. But I would hate to see it topple the mighty UZ. I fear that's very much on the cards.
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The Bearded Bard
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Posted: July 25 2015 at 10:23 |
Depois do Fim for me, but not by much.
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GKR
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Joined: January 22 2013
Location: Brazil
Status: Offline
Points: 1376
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Posted: July 25 2015 at 10:34 |
NO MICKY, DONT MADE ME CHOSE IT! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.
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GKR
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Joined: January 22 2013
Location: Brazil
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Points: 1376
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Posted: July 25 2015 at 10:36 |
In any other poll it would be Univers Zero for a GAZILLION to zero.
But against Bacamarte... oh boy.
Go Brazil!
(only Secos & Molhados will compete with them).
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- From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.
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micky
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Joined: October 02 2005
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Status: Offline
Points: 46828
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Posted: July 25 2015 at 11:19 |
Atkingani wrote:
Hey, Micky, thanks for remembering me! I'm very flattered! |
no more than I was this morning.. That meant a lot sitting on this one.. this one might be the hardest of all of them
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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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Moogtron III
Prog Reviewer
Joined: April 26 2005
Location: Belgium
Status: Offline
Points: 10616
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Posted: July 25 2015 at 13:13 |
Tough, tough, tough! Boy... Well alright... even when voting against a Belgian band... I vote for Bacamarte
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Olape
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Joined: July 28 2013
Location: Chile
Status: Offline
Points: 2044
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Posted: July 25 2015 at 17:20 |
Bacamarte.
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Nogbad_The_Bad
Forum & Site Admin Group
RIO/Avant/Zeuhl & Eclectic Team
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Posted: July 26 2015 at 11:44 |
UZ very easily, top 5 album all-time for me
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Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/
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micky
Special Collaborator
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Joined: October 02 2005
Location: .
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Points: 46828
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Posted: July 26 2015 at 11:48 |
ahhh.. this poll.
the hardest by far of any of the current batch. Love both but look how close it is is...ohh oh...and who to disappoint..
Father Guigo and Brother Ivan...
or Auntie Raff and Uncle Ian....
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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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Skalla-Grim
Forum Senior Member
Joined: July 07 2015
Location: Europe
Status: Offline
Points: 305
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Posted: July 26 2015 at 12:49 |
UZ is great in its dark and threatening way, but I think that some parts are too drawn-out for my taste.
Bacamarte is very light and fluent in comparison. My vote goes to the Brazilians who delivered a beautiful classic prog album.
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TeleStrat
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Joined: December 27 2014
Location: Norwalk, CA
Status: Offline
Points: 9319
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Posted: July 26 2015 at 13:06 |
Bacamarte for sure.
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Barbu
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 09 2005
Location: infinity
Status: Offline
Points: 30845
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Posted: July 27 2015 at 04:47 |
Hmmmm..tough...
Depois do Fim
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micky
Special Collaborator
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Joined: October 02 2005
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Points: 46828
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Posted: July 27 2015 at 15:58 |
last poll standing for me.. and still no clue which way to vote. Come Saturday.. if tied I may not even vote.. let a tie-break settle it.. and will likely vote for the underdog to try to bring it to one.
First poll actually of all of them we have done so far that i really can not choose. Interesting...
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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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t d wombat
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 14 2007
Location: Australia
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Points: 504
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Posted: July 28 2015 at 22:05 |
Bacamarte for me. That is simply a fabulous album and from what I've heard an overall impressive outfit.
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Andrew B
“Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.” ― Julius Henry Marx
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proggman
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Joined: October 14 2013
Location: Sweden
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Points: 1458
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Posted: July 29 2015 at 20:55 |
Bacamarte, Depois Do Fim.
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When he rides, my fears subside. For darkness turns once more to light. Through the skies, his white horse flies. To find a land beyond the night.
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Atkingani
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
Joined: October 21 2005
Location: Terra Brasilis
Status: Offline
Points: 12288
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Posted: July 29 2015 at 22:38 |
Another poll apparently running to the equalizer.
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Guigo
~~~~~~
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