GAMME

I can't say anything about this album, except I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! It is a gargantuan improvement over Minuit Ville (which I would rate 3.5 stars), and they have a new bassist and a new vocalist in this one. I know I will repeate adjectives that others have used, but it is inevitable, this album I would describe as warm and passionate. Guitars and keys are awesome all the time, and man you gotta love the way this guy sings! Cover art fits perfectly this kind of muic, and we also must consider that this baby was made in 1981 (gosh there are so many excellent things from the eighties). The first song is listed out in the original LP as "Intro" and is a short spoken, well, intro. Then this monster begins with Cités (cities), starting with some keys and guitar until it calms a bit and vocals arrive. This pace is kept until past halfway, where it spices up with a great instrumental ending. Novembre is purely instrumental, and is all about keyboards, starts softly and grows proggressively. Tany Mena (Terre Rouge) is a song about Madagascar ("Tany Mena" means red earth in the Malgache language, or precisely, terre rouge), starts with some vibes and strong drums, then vocals begin, it settles down later with beautiful keys and the theme is repeated, a killer 3-minute guitar solo ends it awesome song and my fave from the record! Side 2 begins with Noctambule, which is not that complex but again keys and vocals take the spotlight, it is great. L'Homme Fou is the highlight for many. Starts with a soft keys sound and vocals, then explodes and introduces lots of instrumental and vocal changes, until around the 6 minute mark, where a dreamy soundscapes fills the song until the end. Prelude is the last song, and is also instrumental. Has this soft middle part that I really enjoy. Original record came out in the F.L.V.M. label (which was also the label of bands like Vortex and Abus Dangereux) and there has been no "legit" CD release (since the only one is from Tachika). I can't put into words how much joy this album brings to me every time I listen to it. I could give this 6 or 7 or all stars ever, it is one of my timeless favorites. If you haven't got it, run for it, and i'll say it once again: MASTERPIECE.