Memoriance |
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avestin
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625 |
Topic: Memoriance Posted: May 04 2007 at 20:09 |
Well, it's Friday night and I am still in the lab, stuck, so I thought "Hey, why not make another thread in PA?".
And I had several ideas for a subject and this was the first.
Memoriance - a French symphonic prog band who released two fine albums in the 70's.
Here's James' bio of the band:
"MEMORIANCE is a unique sounding French symphonic progressive band from the 1970s who released 2 albums and a 7" single.
Their debut album, "Et après", is a fine blend of styles, ranging from fellow French symphonic bands like Ange, Atoll and Carpe Diem, but also with a blend of Steve Hackett style guitar playing, as well as a hint of "Wish You Were Here", era Pink Floyd. After their debut release, there were some line-up changes, with drummer, Didier Busson being replaced by Christopher Boulanger. Pascal Libergé came into the band as a keyboard player, alongside Jean-François Périer. Their second release "L’Écume des jours d’après Boris Vian" is a concept album, based on the 1947 philosophical novel "L’Ecume des jours" (Froth on the Daydream), by Boris Vian. It appears that in 1981, they released a single "Sparadrap/Telephone", but there seems to be no accompanying album. MEMORIANCE’s style on "Et Après", has somewhat of a jazz rock feel at times, but also prevalent is a strong bass sound, some luscious guitar playing (two lead guitars at times) - that is never outrageous - yet is skillfully played. There is also psychedelic rock moments, reminiscent of Pink Floyd, especially in the keyboard and guitar sounds. Overall, they’re never over-the-top or heavy, but they always manage to stay interesting, due to their songs having several movements. A relatively unknown and unique band, even in France, they have managed to record some excellent music and deserve to be heard. If you enjoy the ROGER WATERS era PINK FLOYD, ANGE, ATOLL, CARPE DIEM as well as other symphonic prog, you will enjoy MEMORIANCE. James R. Yeowell (Geck0) " So, which is it?
In this case (and this doesn't happen often) I find it easy to choose as Et Apres is much more to my liking, with great melodies, powerful vocals, good musicianship etc. The second being a concept album, somehow feels as a miss to me.
Here's a review about Et Apres by Clem:
MEMORIANCE — Et AprèsReview by ClemofNazareth (Bob Moore)SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Specialist This is a band I known absolutely nothing about, but I picked up this reissue from the Japanese label Tachika, which I’m not even sure is a legitimate label. No matter, this is a pretty darn good record, and a decent example of the peculiar blend of slightly psychedelic guitar and symphonic arrangements of other French bands like Ange and Pentacle (two other bands I know very little about beyond the occasional sample track). Posted Friday, December 15, 2006, 21:38 EST | Permanent link So actually this thread (like other polls I started, is more for the exposure of the band and its music rather than the actual choosing of the preferred album. Worth tracking down (although I don't know if it's available).
Trivial note - Boris Vian is the father of Patrick Vian who released this fine album in 1976 - Bruits et temps analogues. and which should be in PA in Electronic prog.
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DarioIndjic
Forum Senior Member Joined: April 15 2005 Location: Universe Status: Offline Points: 600 |
Posted: May 04 2007 at 20:16 |
I've heard only their debut and i can easily say : one of the best french albums i ever heard! In my opinion they are better than Atoll and Carpe Diem,anyway,worth checking out!
Edited by DarioIndjic - May 04 2007 at 20:50 |
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Ars longa , vita brevis
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honganji
Forum Senior Member Joined: September 21 2005 Status: Offline Points: 571 |
Posted: May 04 2007 at 20:30 |
Needed reissue !
Once Memoriance was reissued on LP in Japan. Then, they were called ''French Camel''. Ha, ha, ha, young proggers may not know such old story. But why no labels want to reissue until today ?
By the way, I voted for L'Ecume Des Jours.
Memoriance was a good progressive rock band. Edited by honganji - May 04 2007 at 20:31 |
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Apsalar
Forum Senior Member Joined: June 06 2006 Location: gansu Status: Offline Points: 2888 |
Posted: May 04 2007 at 20:36 |
I still have not heard any of their albums .
Would 'Et Apres' be a good starting point for someone of my tastes? [sometimes have trouble getting into symphonic] |
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avestin
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625 |
Posted: May 04 2007 at 21:48 |
Thanks for your responses.
Well given what I know about you and Symphonic prog, I'd still say there is good chance you'll like Et Apres.
And a reissue would be great to have.
I suspect it will receive one some day.
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Rocktopus
Forum Senior Member Joined: March 02 2006 Location: Norway Status: Offline Points: 4202 |
Posted: May 05 2007 at 03:52 |
Only got their first one. A great album. French Camel? Ha-ha. More or less all the rare french symphonic I've heard is just wonderful.
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Over land and under ashes
In the sunlight, see - it flashes Find a fly and eat his eye But don't believe in me Don't believe in me Don't believe in me |
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chamberry
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: October 24 2005 Location: Puerto Rico Status: Offline Points: 9008 |
Posted: May 05 2007 at 12:29 |
I'm another one that has their debut only. Great album nonetheless.
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