MECHANICAL MOONBEAMS

This is the first Machiavel album I've heard. It's serviceable late-70s symphonic. There are some strong points- the English vocals are mercifully unaccented and the lyrics aren't bad, although a bit non- descript. The singing is excellent, if a bit twee. A good area of keyboard sounds, el-piano, mellotron and synth are used, and the production is excellent. The guitar playing, especially the acoustic playing, is pleasant but unobtrusive. The band's sound at this point was a mix of Camelish soft prog with a Supertrampish pop sensibility. There seems to be some attempt at Gallic high drama, but it pales in comparison to more histrionic French contemporaries like Ange and Mona Lisa. All in all, a good CD, but not one which left much of a lingering impression. B-grade late 70s European sympho which you'll enjoy if you are a collector of that genre.