BANKRUPTCY

Leave it to Sébastien Gramond to keep things diverse. With 2002, Sébastien Gramond experienced quite a prolific year, with several albums of his still available to listen to from then. Almost coming out with one album per month, it is surprising how well some of this material has turned out. 'Bankruptcy' is another Sébastien Gramond from a time when the French songwriter was no doubt feeling quite adventurous with his work. An album that is one part jazz-fusion and another part experimental electronic classical, 'Bankruptcy' is a very rough piece of work, but has any variety here to make for a relatively interesting experience.

The first half of the album is no doubt my favourite, being rooted mostly in instrumental jazz rock. The title track 'Bankruptcy' starts the album off quite nicely, with some nice drum work and great soloing from Gramond. 'For Years' is the only track which densely features vocals, which do tend to bring the listener out of the instrumental grasp, although Gramond's vocal delivery here is better than usual. Although many of the songs here feel very rough and unfocused, it is pleasant jazz rock fusion that deserves some good listening.

The second half may surprise a new listener to Gramond's work, but here the man has gone back down the road of neoclassical composition. Of course, a full orchestra cannot be afforded, so the burden instead rests on a computer emulation program to make things sound like real. I have always supported Sébastien Gramond's classical exploits, often finding them very interesting and complex besides the rather weak presentation with the computer program they always get. Here however, the fakeness gets in the way more than usual, and it makes me wish I could have more of the good fusion I had earlier in the album. Much of Gramond's 'Symphony #4' is simpler than usual, but drums have been adding overtop the programming, which also tends to take the listener away from any illusion of a real symphony at work.

A strained cut from Gramond's discography to be clear, but there is some greatness on both sides of this album that make it a worthwhile experience.