Verdict (Rating): Charming New Age Symphonic Rock (87%)
More Info: www.unicornrecords.com , www.nilweb.com
This is the band's fourth album and sees the French symphonic progressive band add singer Roselyne Berthet as a full member and making full use of her voice. The other members are Samuel Maurin (bass), Benjamin Croizy (keyboards) and Frank Niebel (drums).
Of all the Unicorn CD's submitted for review recently, this is the one that I thought I would have most problems relating to. In fact, the CD has 'charmed' it's way into my affections.
Opener "Le Gardien" has an eerie atmospheric start with the vocals wafting in as if upon a mist, before the synth swirls and the song takes on a King Crimson rhythmical quality. I also detected echos of Enya's pseudo-classical composition in here. In fact, this 20 minute track veers off in many directions that include elements of Pink Floyd and Led Zep. As a contrast "Linceul" is a short (4min!) ethereal ballad.
"Deregeneration" steers more of a traditional prog path ala Pink Floyd, but does add some good ethereal vocals to the mix later on. King Crimson are again a reference point for "198", but mixing in symphonic overtones
"Abandon" begins with some smoky French jazz before transforming into a more traditional prog rock. "Derives" is a King Crimson style playout for the CD.
I think Unicorn are onto a winner here and I could imagine this eventually competing with Hamadryad as the label's best selling record.
