VIVA BOMA

In fact the bands description already states it: Cos actually isn't downright Canterbury at all just partly. And that's what struck me most listening to this album for the first time. Sure, there's a bunch of Canterbury moments on it such as best and longest track L'Idiot Léon which is even one of the best Canterbury examples I know in history. But actually it's the only straightforward Canterbury song on this release.

The rest is indeed a mixture of Latin, KC-like experimental music, several sorts of jazz and other eclectic stuff (avant prog, Zeuhl) which made me come to the conclusion eclectic prog is probably more the on par subgenre than Canterbury for Cos, at least where this album is concerned (don't know the others yet).

Ultimately, the other thing that strikes me is the very high average rating for this album. The strengths are composition and instrumental handling but the vocals are pretty weak I have to say. Pascale Son sings out of tune at least a dozen of times and I´m surprised she is even mentioned the strength of the band by some reviewers. So this will have to be at least one star diminution in the end. But Viva Boma is for sure one of the prog jewels in history and even a must for prog devotees. So checking it out is the least one should do. Four stars are well deserved.