LES NOUVELLES TERRES

The title of Octobre`s Les nouvelles terres ( The New Worlds ) was almost replaced by the single word title "Violence" after an introspective song written for the album, but a friend of band leader Pierre Flynn managed to talk him out of it possibly realising the misleading conotations which might ensue as a result of the inital impact of such a strong word. Violence became one of Octobre`s most recognizable songs with it`s upbeat jazz- rock rythmns but did not have anything to do with phyisical abuse but rather probed into the struggles and torments within the subconcious. This and other brooding images from Flynn`s inner sanctum intensified the musical flamboyance displayed on this album, Octobre`s second offering from 1974.

As on the first self titled album Flynn`s bright keyboard colouring and captivating vocals which were renminicient of Belgian folk artist Jacques Brel, combined with his compositional skill give Octobre a driven sound. Fluid dynamics and structure are substituted in favour of relentless showboating which is aptly demonstrated on the instrumental " La passe du grand flambeau " ( The passing of the big torch ) which could easily be mistaken for a more upbeat Gentle Giant piece using counterpoint to great effect.There are suprises everywhere and the album fluctuates between very sombre and very bright moods.

The album opens up with a spooky intro with thunderous organ crashes on the title track " Les nouvelles terres" and this mood is carried on in the second even more ominous sounding piece " Le chant du guerrier " ( The warrior`s chant) which embraces metaphorically the uncertain circumstances of the 19th century North American Indian. The doom and gloom lets up on Quand la nuit se réveille ( when the night awakens ) wihch has an almost Christmas chime to it that paints the picture of the hopes and freedoms of a night on the town which is unequivocally Flynn`s hometown of Montréal. While still only 20 years old at the time all of the of the songs on the album reflect the indecisions, hesitations and ideals of younger people such as himself but the exceptional musicianship definitely belies the ages of the band members and are by leaps and bounds not your run of the mill three chord folk ditties.

Those already familiar with the more popular `70s Québec progressive bands such as Maniége and Harmonium are in for a bit of a suprise here. No acoustics and musically as tight as any band of the prog rock movement in the early seventies with superior vocal power. Unfortunately not released on CD " Les nouvelles terres " definitely worth hunting down in it`s original vinyl form on the internet or in the second hand shops. Once again most of the tracks can also be found on the 1995 copilation CD " Octobre 1973-1989".

3.5 stars really!!!

Octobre 's second album Les Nouvelles Terres (the new grounds. to be broken) came out the next year, and was definitely more adult, but not less Flynn-esque. Better produced (recorded at the same Studio Six), with greater means as well (guest musicians), with a weird artwork (those flashy red lipsticks marks), it is a bit unfortunate that the album's title is more ambitious than the resulting music, but nevertheless this album is the worthy successor of their debut. Right from the starting blocks with the catchy opening title track to the lengthy closer (6-mins+, but this is a max for Octobre at the time), you understand that musically the album will be more refined, but maybe a bit too over the top for true rockers.

Starting with the attention-grabbing title track chorus, the album starts strongly with Légaré's funky bass play, Flynn's vocal moods changing like Queen's Freddy mercury could, Dorais' searing guitar. Le Chant Du Guerrier (warrior's path) represents a facet that separated Quebec's spirit from the rest of Canada: they felt for the Amerindians. This track is highly dramatic and ambient, where the electric piano dominates and there are Magma-like choirs. The instrumental tour de force of Passage Du Flambeau (passage of rites/flame), where the group is in full progressive flight, where Dorais' electric 12-string guitar shines behind Flynn piano. The longest Generations (this used to be the group's centrepiece of their live shows as it could climb up to 12 minutes) where there are some brilliant instrumental passages is a suitable closer, ending surprisingly abruptly, but with full right.

There are some less perfect tracks where Flynn shows his lounge singer instincts. Violence shows that Flynn has not lost his sense of rebellion, even if the track is filled from cheesy string and choir arrangements, which will come to full fruition in 76's Autoroute Des Rêves album. The dramatic piano-laden Voyage En Mer (sea trip) is also filled with some synth-string arrangements and it only convinces the listener partially.Finally there are some more meaningless songs like the light-hearted Quand La Nuit Se Réveille (celebrating Montreal's lively nightlife >> this writer checked that almost every WE ;-) and the embarrassing filler Ma Chanson.

Although Octobre will never break out from the Francophonie (trying Ontario and later, France) and the group's success will remain a bit confidential (although they will play at several high-profile gigs/festival including opening for Crimson), this album shows Octobre close to their apex and although there are a few "fautes de gout", the musicians are all top-notch. Octobre's second album is not different than their other, and just like them it is an acquired taste and not likely to please those not mastering French enough to get the lyrics.

3,5 stars!!! I found this second albun from the band OCTOBRE "Nouvelles Terres" (1974), a little different from his first work "Octobre" (1973), and that more called me the attention was a certain approach with jazzier themes and the use of other musicians' as guests (although there are not credits) in an attempt of "enriching" the melodic textures, as example of this, I can mention the orchestral attendance in the final passage of the track 4 "Ma Chanson", the brass section arrangement in the track 5 "Violence." However that "enrichment" (in my opinion) doesn't do a superior work in relationship to their first disk, I consider both in a same level.. The best moments of the disk are the track 1 "Nouvelles Terres",a track 3 " Quand La Nuit If Réveille" with interesting counterpoints among acoustic & eletric guitar and keyboards,and the track 6 "La Passe du Grande Flambeau" (the best moment of the disk) that reminded me in some moments GENTLE GIANT. My rate is 3,5 stars. Standing out (as in their previous work) that this also deserves a place in my collection!!!!