COUP DE FOUDRE !!

Again on the defensive since the previous Rock Bottom's failure to sell, Offenbach returns to the tried and successfully tested formula and this album can appear as a carbon copy of Traversion, even if it doesn't hold any "hits", it will provide another important chunk of their live sets. While the four front musos remained put, the drum stool has suffered another change as Harrisson (ex-Dillinger) fell ill and was replaced by Jerry Mercer (ex-April Wine and Mashmakhan), but he returned in time for the album's recording. Oh yeah, although Boulet's raspy vocals (ala Charlebois/Flynn) are the front face of Offenbach, he still doesn't write his lyrics and with Huet gone, he's replaced by Pierre Coté. BTW, on this album he only contributes to two tracks, obviously thinking ahead to his solo album to come.

I haven't got much against this album, but I find it noisy and tiresome and bringing absolutely nothing new or essential to Quebec's rock scene or Offenbach's repertoire, namely Rock De Velours and Hit & Run. A bunch of short tracks (max 4 ½ minutes) that offer little than commercial rock with a sax as guest, rather than McGale's flute. Best track: Hit & Run, by far

A solid rock album with few weaknesses, sung in French, but there is not much for a proghead to put under his teeth and chew upon, except for, maybe Boulet's old Hammond B-3 organ.