GAMME

Synopsis is certainly one of France's best kept secrets. When this band from the East of France released his two albums, just a few people heard of them. For sure it was at a time, the end of the seventies and the early eighties, when prog was dead, before its renaissance thanks to the neoprog movement and the birth of structures such as prog labels or magazines. Musea precisely, the French prog label, tried to do justice by releasing the first album, "Minuit Ville" (1979). In my humble opinion, this opus doesn't reflect Synopsis' talent especially because of the poor vocals. On the contrary, "Gamme" (1981) is a must. The new singer, often close to Atoll's, gives deepness and emotion to an already rich music through poetic lyrics. For instance 'Prélude', ironically put at the end of the record, recalls Atoll's 'Le Cerf Volant', certainly one of the best French prog songs ever. Describing the music is easy: mostly keyboards based (mainly synthesizers) supported by acoustic and fuzz guitars on a typical early eighties rhythmic section (don't be afraid, just a touch of it!), in a mellow, melancholy atmosphere. All amateurs of French prog, that is theatrical symphonic rock, should have this gem in their collection. A pity this album is not available on the CD form (except an unofficial version). Another job for Musea's dynamic team!