PROGRESSION BY FAILURE

Stunning debut CD of this one man band that reveals the genious of french multi instrumentalist and songwriter Nicolas Piveteau. I was drawn to this CD when I read Ivan Nelgar´s glowing review and, after repeated listenings, I can say he is right on the mark! This is a fantastic work that blends very different styles and genres to produce a music that is, at the same time, original and accessible. What a rare chemistry!

The CD is a totally instrumental affair and is basicly just keyboards and drums but you won´t miss any other instruments on this very well balanced album. It is clear that classical music is the main influence, but there are lots of other sutff in the mix: avant guard, jazz, King Crimson, Erik Satie, prog rock, even thrash metal bits can be traced on some drums patterns and riffs. Some moments are almost chaotic but never to the point of losing its melody line (hence its link with some of KC´s best moments). Some parts are pure lyrical and very, very poignant (The Solitude Of A Winter is a good exemple), some are complex (like the opener Dialog With A Selfish), some are heavy,some are light. In common they have the fact that they are all great!

For a first album this is really a superb work, with a top notch production, fine mix, tasteful arrangements and mature compositions. It´s almost 70 minutes long and yet I think it is too short. I just can´t get enough of this. It´s very elaborate, complex, beautiful symphonic prog music at its best. I was a bit tempeted to give it 4 stars, since you always expect the following works to be better, but there is no way to deny that this is truly a masterpiece of progressive rock. 5 stars. Highly recommended!