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Harmonium - Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison CD (album) cover

SI ON AVAIT BESOIN D'UNE CINQUIÈME SAISON

Harmonium

 

Prog Folk

4.35 | 1446 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

friso
Prog Reviewer
4 stars Harmonium - Si On Avait Besoin D'Une Cinquième Saison (1975)

If mellotron, than buy. If on vinyl, than maximum enjoyment.

The position of this album in our beloved PA top 100 chart makes us believe this is really something. Harmonium is a Canadian symphonic/crossover progressive group with a focus on beauty. There are simply no rock elements, all arrangements are acoustic or have an acoustic sound. The lyrics are sung in French, which suits the gentle music fine. The combination of piano-mellotron-acoustic guitars and the lack of drums creates this extremely gentle, emotional and intense music. The band has a lot of amazing harmonic finds that are played carefully with an artistic vibe as if the band came from Italy. The recording of this record is amazing, audiophiles should have a vinyl version of it.

The only resembling atmosphere I could find in my collection was Celeste - Principe Di Un Giorno album of the RPI-canon. Perhaps one could find a link to equally gentle Sigur Ros. And just as with Celeste and Sigur Ros, Harmonium might not satisfy all fans of the progressive ROCK genre. The lack of electric guitars, synthesizers and the usual portion of compositional sophistication might get some bored. Furthermore this record isn't a symphonic record fully. The two tracks have a French chanson sound vibe, though I must say their arrangements and recording are amazing. Depuis L'Automne is a symphonic track and the main attraction of this record Histoires Sans Paroles is of course a progressive symphonic epic. These two tracks consist of amazingly beautiful instrumental parts and some atmospheric sophistication. The vocals are very warm. The development of these two tracks is strong and very natural, the band takes the time it needs to show us want they want us to hear.

Conclusion. This record is like an emotional child-hood film. It has warm characteristics, it's changes my moods, it takes me to wherever the record is going. The sound of vinyl is simply amazing, even the chanson-like tracks in the beginning sound masterful. The playful opening tracks and the symphonic latter tracks on the album are mixed into a well told story. Since I own a vinyl of this album I can understand why so many gave this five stars. It's just the beauty of it all.. I myself will give this four stars. It's a very recommended record, but it's crossover/related sound doesn't make it essential for a progressive rock collection IMHO. This record is especially recommended to fans of the symphonic genre, progressive folk and gentle music in general. My favorite Canadian record! Four stars.

friso | 4/5 |

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