ROOTS LAND SYMPHONY

The concept of a classical symphony is fairly common repertoire for Sébastien Gramond, but more often than not, the man's ambitious compositions are held down by poor execution, being through a cheap computer orchestration that often makes the music sound artificial and hollow. That being said, the compositions often hold their ground, and that is why it is great to see Sébastien Gramond running his symphonic aspirations through some real instruments. Although 'Roots Land Symphony' does not have a full orchestra at hand, it uses what classical instruments Gramond has at hand, as well as some rock instruments to good effect. If only the rest of the songs that accompany the main attraction were as good as the first track, Sébastien Gramond may have had a really great piece of work on his hands.

Although the rest of 'Roots Land Symphony' is fairly forgettable, the album's eighteen minute cornerstone is a very cool piece of chamber music. Using plenty of keyboards, mellow electric guitars and beautiful violins, the piece is a gradually building work that features plenty of details that are difficult to all swallow on the first listen. Ironically, while the piece is very goo to listen to, its length is what tends to bog it down. After several minutes into the music, it feels as if a change of pace or added structure to the formula of 'Roots Land Symphony' would have done wonders for it. After the first eighteen minutes of this record are through, it does tend to roll downhill fast. Although the reggae track 'Rat Safari' is something of a guilty pleasure of mine, the rest of the album feels moreso like a collection of half-baked jams that feel like little more than an afterthought to the title track.

The title epic here is worth an intent listen from a fan of chamber music, and while the rest of the songs here are listenable enough, it's 'Root Land Symphony' that makes the album worth a listen.