MODERN MASQUERADES

The least one can say about "Fruupp" is that the band was very prolific. No less than four albums in two year's time. Quite a challenge ! This album combines their beautiful symphonic music with soft jazz like during "Gormenghast" and "Mystery Might" which opens really fine : sweet piano and so pleasant vocals. Mighty keys as well. And all of a sudden, the band starts an almost jazzy- jam. Weird.

The band went already this direction with their second opus "Seven Secrets" (which I very moderately appreciated) but this time, the jazzy flavours are more bearable (at least to my ears which don't praise that genre so much).

The poppish "Masquerading With Dawn" is quite naive. Very much "Beatles-esque" in terms of vocal harmonies. It gets brilliant during its bombastic finale which features an orgy of keys which is simply grandiose. And the delicate piano part just before the finale is splendid as well. So, half of a great song.

The music from this album is very much similar to Camel. Mostly instrumental, soft for most of it. There will be a major blunder ("Janet Planet"). Lots of horns, an outdated and boring melody coming straight from the sixties. Fortunately it is a short song. "Why" being a mellow ballad not too much convincing.

I am not hundred per cent convinced with the mix symphonic prog - jazz which available on this album. It is almost systematic. The closing number for instance offers such beautiful and pure symphonic moments. Luckily, the mix works pretty well in that one. My preferred track and the highlight of this good but not essential album.

Three stars.