Next up... a reprise of the Battle of Little Bighorn!
In previous rounds we did song samples, great PA's reviews, with this
round I wanted to do something a different. So I went outside PA's..
what do people outside of this site say about these albums.
First up..
Ceux Du Dehors by Univers Zero
I didn't expect this from 1981
As a prog rock fan, as many as already know, if you're not into
neo-prog, don't think Marillion was the savior of prog in the 1980s, you
know many great prog albums released after 1977 or '78 were rather slim
pickings (with a brief resurgence in the early '90s thanks to groups
like Änglagård). Of course there were some gems during those lean years,
but nothing like the 1969 to 1977 time period.
Univers Zero were
one of the leading RIO groups. RIO (Rock In Opposition) was originally
the name of a festival founded by Christ Cutler who obviously wanted an
outlet for groups to express themselves in opposition to the punk and
disco that dominated the landscape at the time. It eventually became a
genre itself (that included Henry Cow, naturally, plus Univers Zero,
Samla Mammas Mamma, Art Bears, and so many more, either from groups that
performed at those festivals, or those that played in this style). So
obviously a lot of this music was even more complex and challenging than
anything that came before. If you thought Gentle Giant was complex, get
a load of Henry Cow (and Univers Zero)! Of course Univers Zero is
definitely up your alley if you enjoy Henry Cow or the more "out there"
moments of King Crimson. Unlike Henry Cow, there's none of that jazz
influence, and unlike Crimson, not as so rock. It's pretty safe to say,
the guys from Univers Zero were simply listening to the same kinds of
classical music (Bartok, Stravinsky, etc) as Crimson or Cow.
Univers
Zero had been through many lineup changes, in 1980-81, the group
consisted of Michel Berckmans (bassoon, oboe, English horn), Daniel
Denis (drums), Patrick Hanappler (violin, viola), Andy Kirk (keyboards,
including harmonium, Mellotron, Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano), and
Guy Segers (bass).
Now I can't believe it, Ceux du Dehors was
released in 1981 and that this album really does deserve the RIO tag. If
by 1981, the big name prog acts had either broken up, or in the case of
Genesis, turning to mainstream pop, Univers Zero created some
unbelievably complex and challenging music, using an assortment of
woodwinds, plus drums and even the Mellotron pops up on three cuts,
which is something I don't expect from a recording this late! Truly in
opposition to mainstream tastes. Like Henry Cow, you won't be able to
"get it" on the first or even the tenth listen (unlike symphonic prog
albums where you often get it on the third listen). Univers Zero has its
share of detractors because there are people that will never "get it"
(I can understand), and then there are those that need to be "in the
mood". A lot of the music has this sinister feel to it. To put that
point across, one of the cuts is titled "La Musique D'Erich Zann", Erich
Zann a fictional character in H.P. Lovecraft's short story by the same
name (that is "The Music of Erich Zann"), so you get a picture where
this band was at. Put this album up against mainstream tastes or even
how badly the major prog acts deteriorated by this point and you can
see! This was music guaranteed never to be aired on MTV or played on
your local FM station who overplays "Free Bird" to death. The old LP
featured just six cuts, but in 1992 when Cuneiform reissued this on CD,
they included a bonus cut, "Triomphe des Mouches" which is in the same
vein as the rest of the album, which means it was cut from the same
sessions. It was originally released as a one-sided single and included
in the first 500 copies of Ceux Du Dehors, so if you're lucky to own the
original LP that came with the single, you got a major collector's
item!
I really think this is a great album, but I won't recommend this for those who want their music to be safe, that's for sure!
against UZ.. we have..
hahah
Voyage of the Acolyte by Steven HackettMore Genesis than Genesis
After Peter Gabriel left Genesis, the remaining members took some time
out to decide on what to do next. Guitarist Steve Hackett worked on his
first solo album and the results were almost a Genesis album in all but
name, with both Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford making guest
appearances.
It is clear from this album that Steve's contributions
within Genesis were very significant indeed. The same autumnal, English,
pastoral feel that pervaded albums such as "Foxtrot" and "Selling
England By the Pound" is prevalent on "Voyage Of The Acolyte". This
album has a dark, haunting feel to it, emphasised by brother John's
flute playing and the heavy use of mellotron and acoustic guitar. The
album opens with the storming instrumental "Ace Of Wands" which has
become a firm live favourite ever since. Hackett is very, very good at
writing rock instrumentals. His back catalogue is littered with
brilliantly executed pieces like "Clocks", "Sierra Quemada" and "Twice
Around The Sun". Next up is the beautifully haunting "Hands Of The
Priestess Part 1". This then segues straight into the fuzzy menace of "A
Tower Struck Down", another classic instrumental. "Star Of Sirius" is
significant in featuring a lead vocal from Phil Collins, a sign of
things to come. The album is completed with the mighty "Shadow Of The
Hierophant", with beautiful lead vocals by Sally Oldfield and ending
with typical instrumental aplomb.
This was an excellent debut for
Hackett. A bridge between the Genesis of old and the new and
emphatically showcased not just what an excellent instrumentalist
Hackett was, but that he had the compositional skills to match.
Eventually the success of this album and his frustrations working within
the confines of the band would lead to his departure.
This
re-release is part of the remastering of Hacketts' first four albums he
recorded for Charisma. The remastering was overseen by Hackett and
sounds excellent. The sleeve notes and packaging have been put together
by the highly esteemed team of Mark Powell and Phil Smee. Included as
bonus material is an electrified live version of "Ace Of Wands" and an
extended "Shadow Of The Hierophant". So all in all a truly impressive
package and at this price you can't go wrong.
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4th Round Class: Ceux Du Dehors v. Voyage of the A
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