SONG FROM THE DEAD

Finally, one can start seeing some substantial improvements not only in the music French multi-instrumentalist Sébastien Gramond makes, but also his craft with putting together albums. 'Song From The Dead' shows Gramond taking a newer, darker approach with his music, but it is not without some playful contrast, making an album that is intent to keep the listener's attention. While some execution and production issues remain at large, 'Song From The Dead' stands as being my favourite Gramond release I have heard to date.

Beginning with a title track that starts off sounding as if it could be in a horror film or a Black Sabbath release, the music reverts into a relatively typical Gramond song sound, with screechy vocals, and somewhat uninteresting instrumentation. Not the greatest way to start an album to be sure, but the song makes use of several beautiful piano hooks to keep things going along. All in all, the true 'Song From The Dead' is the weakest on the album, but keeps in check with the new, dark and heavier approach Gramond had be taking with his music during this time.

Next is without a doubt, the most surprising and quirky thing I have ever heard from Sébastien Gramond; 'Power To The Children' is a bouncy piano track that switches erratically between a child's high pitched anthem and what can only be interpreted as Gramond's own attempt at death metal, yes, death metal. Contrasting the remarkably light and happy with something heavy and dark (albeit sounding tacky) is really interesting, and along with the chipmunk vocals, it is hard for me not to smile while listening to this.

Following something that was admittedly something of a 'joke song' is 'From The Deepest Sea To The Higher Mountain'; certainly the musical highlight of this charming album. While Gramond typically sounds very much like a garage-style, even amateur recording artist, there are moments where his music can sound as professional as any other progressive artist, and this mini-epic is a sure sign of that. Using great guitar work and cunning repetition of only the best ideas in the mix, Gramond performs a great instrumental that instantly feels comparable to some of the music Genesis has written earlier on.

From 'Deepest Sea' comes 'Mourner Love', the final epic and a song I had already been familiar with off of 'More Homeworks' compilation. Revolving around some surprisingly strong vocal work from Gramond and one highly repeated vocal hook, the track would be mundane were it not for some brilliant flute work to give the music a real pastoral, magical feeling to it. 'Mourner Love' does tend to drag on a bit past its prime, but remains a strong way to cap off a strong album.

I must say, I was always looking to find an album of Gramond's that really clicked in with me, and thankfully, it seems I've found one. Intelligent, well-performed and even funny when disregarding it's remaining production errors and some inconsistent vocal work, 'Song From The Dead' is an excellent piece of art rock.