LE GRAND VOYAGE

What can I say about "Le Grand Voyage"?

My absolute favourite album of 2019, and one of the finest prog records of the last decade, with a marvellous mixture of ambient-psychedelic-alternative rock with a pinch of metal incredibly catchy and with an outstanding and very strong song writing which makes that this album has absolutely no fillers.

Every song is a travel itself, and every one of them has something to say!

The production is also very good, rather simple and direct, but with a pristine representation of what this band wanted to make in this indispensable record which is an absolute success.

Best Tracks: like I said, this album has no fillers... But Yonder (incredible vocals from Yann Linger hear), Breath (just sit, relax and enjoy) and Hidden Passenger (incredible rhythm changes) are among the best.

My rating: *****

"Le Grand Voyage" continues in the same style as their "Here Comes The Sun" record from 2015. There was an "Unplugged" album in between these two released in 2017. Anyways this six piece band out of France is back and they have some of the best album covers. I don't feel this record is nearly as consistently great as "Here Comes The Sun" but this is a very solid 4 star album. It just seems like it could have ended better but that's my tastes in music I suppose. Again we get a lot of mid-paced tracks, lots of atmosphere and some heaviness with a great vocalist.

The singer wrote all the lyrics while the rhythm/ atmospheric guitarist wrote all the music except for on "Sealed" which the singer composed. The keyboardist once again uses systoles devices along with sax on one track. It was cool to hear that surprise bonus track my first time I spun it because it doesn't show it in the liner notes or back cover but it's called "The Spy" and it's a cover of THE DOORS track from "Morrison Hotel". They make it their own although the singer does go into Jim's style of singing. I like it a lot. The last two tracks are well done but not in my top five which is why I think this could have ended stronger.

My top five does include the opening three tracks. The opener "Yonder" might be my favourite. Opening with the crack of thunder which will continue for over a minute it's quickly joined by picked guitar and then laid back vocals. Love the atmosphere to end it but man what a gorgeous opener. "Breach" is another beauty and maybe my favourite vocal performance on here, that tone! So uplifting this one and even a FLOYD vibe.

"Sealed" is cool with the guest steel guitar, not "steal" I'm sure as they have it in the liner notes. Another relaxed track. The back to back "Hidden Passenger" and "The Great Oblivion" round out my top five. The former is in the style of the others I mentioned but "The Great Oblivion" has down-tuned guitars and a heavier sound bringing fellow french band MARS RED SKY to mind.

I really like this band, the atmosphere, the vocals, it all works so well. Easily 4 stars.