Kisses & Hugs,
Margot
ART ZOYD
LES ESPACES INQUIETS
Original Issue: 1983 Cryonic (INC 1153)
Margot-meter: 4,5 moons / 5
1. Légendes: La Forêt qui Avance
2. Céréemonie
3. Errance
4. Cortège des officiels
5. Au-delà des vallées
6. Migrations
7. Légendes: Le Bruit du Fer
from Ground and Sky
Art Zoyd's fifth album from 1983 sees a slight turn away from the strictly acoustic nature of their work to date towards the increasing incorporation of electronics and tape effects in their music. A typical example, the nine-minute Cérémonie sounds like a wedding procession from Hell, with dark marches reminiscent of Present building in intensity to resemble a faster section from Univers Zero's Ceux du Dehors, and at times recalling the cacophony of Art Zoyd's first album.
In general, the music alternates between ominous, plodding parts with minimal instrumentation (usually a solo piano or organ) and faster, more frantic sections led by trumpet and strings. Comparisons to other neo-classical bands such as Univers Zero or Present are obvious, although there is a drier, more acoustic feel to this due to the absence of some of the jazzier aspects of the latter bands.
A strong album and likely my favorite by this band. Like Univers Zero, these guys reached a peak with the fusion of their acoustic string-led sound with a smidgen of keyboards and electronics. Also like Univers Zero, they would experience a decline based on the increased reliance on the latter. Definitely recommended.
Sean
