CELLULE DE CRISE

Review #77

Wow!! No reviews or rates to this album yet, what you've been missing, people!!

"Cellule de crise" is a short time record that could even pass as an EP with its scarce 28 minutes but believe me when I say it's worth to listen to it.

The MAGMA influence is undeniable; it's amazing how many bands (especially in France) have preserved the original Zeuhl style in their recordings and this unknown band is one of them. The hypnotic bass lines, jazzy drums, female chorus, incessant piano and sensual violins don't stop in these violent but yet beautiful short songs.

What I like the most about "Cellule de crise" is that the lyrics are in French and not in Kobaian, it's not that I don't like Kobaian lyrics but at least with French I can use a translator to understand them.

This is one of those lost in times gems that couldn't earn big popularity not even in a very little popular musical genre such as Progressive Rock, but really, if you enjoy old school Zeuhl as MAGMA, WEIDORJE, ESKATON, DÜN or EIDER STELLAIRE you're going to love this album.

One of the earliest young modern ensembles to really commit to bearing the torch of Christian Vander's Zeuhl music. Too bad they gave up after this album.

1. "Endless" (5:58) sounds like Magma, just not as tight, not as focused--and singing in English (at first: the title word)! The tempos as expressed by the bass, drums, and vocalists seem scattered all over the place, as if the band were not all on the same page. There's a little of the spirit of COS vocalist PASCALE SON in the voice of lead female, Melanie Fossier. She definitely commands attention. (7.5/10)

2. "Les potits archers" (5:55) whoops! maybe I was wrong: This band can Zeuhl! Everybody seems to gel and relax into the music here. the weaves--both musically and vocally--are absolutely stupendous (except for the way lead male Stéphane Marcaillou's voice is recorded and expressed in the overall mix). Great comportment of the classic Zeuhl tension and great build to resolution. (9.25/10)

3. "De profundis II" (8:18) four voices establish a classic Zeuhl form before transitioning about three minutes in to a jazzed up variation of the same. Violin and Melanie present a new lead melody. Amazing Zeuhl scatting from Stéphane and Melanie in the final third of this slower Magma-like composition. Stéphane must have had some Klaus Blasquiz lessons! Great drumming. (18.25/20)

4. "De profundis III" (4:22) violin and Melanie present a new complex scat pattern, repeated over and over, while instruments below jazz it up. Melanie and the drums really impress. Again, I cannot help but make the Pascale Son comparisons. (8.75/10)

5. "La merveille" (3:57) a sedate, almost dreamy weave of three female vocalists with the guitar, bass, piano, and mostly-cymbals before Stéphane enters as the lead. When Melanie takes the lead, and is then joined by her two female compatriots, the music takes on an almost 1960s pop-jazz feel and style--and the vocal feels like a lullaby or children's rhyme! Unexpected and brilliant! (9/10)

Total Time 28:30

I have been really impressed with the compositional skills of this band and equally so with their performance skills. They really pull off a truly complete and complex Zeuhl album! The weak link is the bass player: he's no Jannick Top! The rest is pretty top notch MAGMA-esque Zeuhl!

B/four stars; if you're a lover of Zeuhl music at its finest, you will love this album. Definitely an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection. There is just something that, for me, is so magical about this album!