EN AVANT DOUTE...

The album, when it came out, was named The Album Of The Month by a German magazine Eclipsed, so I decided to check it out. Well - it can easily qualify for the Album of the Year as well! The music here is mostly quite powerful, louder and harder than the band's previous effort "Amnesie", but still melodic; not overly complex, and yet with fantastically arranged multilayered structure. The self-made instrument Leode produces the sound which again and again sends shivers down your spine, especially on "Capitain Coeur De Miel" (borrowed from a late-70's recording of another great French band Ange), where it reaches the hights of the most wonderful David Gilmour's solos. The various percussion gives a bit Pierre Moerlen-esque feel, although it is not as distinct as in "Amnesie". And the great, clear voice of Dominique Leonetti eliminates any doubts concerning the language; somehow French goes absolutely perfectly with this music. My personal favourites here are Laisse Courir, Capitain Coeur De Miel, and L'arbre. The bonus DVD contains a great live show, a couple of videos, a documentary and other extras. By the way - I saw Lazuli live twice this year and can absolutely assure - they are just as great live as on a cd, so if they do a gig or a festival near to your place - go and see them! As for rating of the album - being rather critical I wouldn't give it full 5 stars; yet 4 stars seem a bit too low. OK, I'm generous today - 5 stars and hope that their next effort will be at least as good as this.