HARMONIUM

Harmonium's second album Si On Avait Besoin D'Une Cinquième Saison has got a very deserving listing in ProgArchives top ten albums list. That is a truly remarkable album. So I turned my attention to this, their debut album. In fact, I have turned my attention to everything from this band. The other reviews will follow in the coming months.

The roots of Si On Avait Besoin D'Une Cinquième Saison can be traced back to this album. The folk rock elements at least, although this album is pretty progressive too. This album is not the run of the mill folk rock album though. Harmonium had their own style and I am not sure if anyone has ever successfully copied their style. A style I find very charming. I do not understand a word of French, but it is my understanding that their lyrics is superb. But I cannot possibly comment on that. What counts here is the music.

The music is a mix of Maneige's brand of jazz and folk rock. It is difficult to describe it, because Harmonium have their own take on music. But if you know Si On Avait Besoin D'Une Cinquième Saison, deduct the symphonic prog parts of that album and you have this, their debut album. The songs are not particular great. Only Aujourd'hui, je dis bonjour à la vie and Un musicien Parmi tant d'Autres is truly great songs here. The rest is a bit anonymous. It is pretty obvious this is a debut album where the band is trying out things. Regard this album as a prelude to their second album and purchase it if you like this or their third album. I give it three stars, bordering to four stars.

3.5 stars