noveaux mondes
| Format | CD |
| Country | France |
| Recorded | 1999/2000 |
| Issued | 2000 |
| Label | Musea |
| Cat no. | FGBG 4340.AR |
| Playing time | 66:31 |
| Reviewer | Jon Christian Lie/Sven Eriksen |
| CAFEÏNE noveaux mondes |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
Nouveaux Mondes is the second Album from the French band Cafeïne. Previously they have released La Citadelle (1994). The fact that these guys ar no newcomers on their instrumens is easy to hear, the musicians sound extremely experienced. On this record, they are joined by a number of guest vocalists which are central on the French progressive rock scene.
Complex, melodic progressive rock are head words for this CD. Various styles, moods and rhythm changes. Take a cup of Flower Kings, a few bottles of Ange, three spoonfuls of Return To Forever, a bowl of Gentle Giant and mix together. Influences from both symphonic rock and fusion are frequently heard, and the result is an ambitious and varied course.
The performance is top class, and Cafeïne has managed to create a successful balance between the breakneck rhythm changes and the softer, darker, atmospheric themes. Among the guest vocalists we find Christian Dechamps (Ange), P. Y. Theurillat (Galaad) and J. B. Ferracci (Minimum Vital).
-------
The French Band Cafeïne is a particularily resilient quartet. They can run through the most complex of parts just like that. At the same time they perform lyrical parts with feeling and nerve. Nouveaux Mondes catches you from the first tone, and does not let you go until the CD ends a good hour later. On the journey they present music full of drama, refinement, imagination and depth. Stylistically they have a few things in common with fellow Frenchmen Edhels and Versailles, kind of a half-modern progressive rock, not retro, not neo, but somewhere in between. A slight resemblance with Duke-periode Genesis can also be heard, but Cafeïne has a much better sound. They cultivate the dynamics and the good composition. Nouveaux Mondes is one of the most consistent and thorough records I have heard in a long time, and also one of the most enjoyable. Recommended without reservations.
© 2001 Tarkus Magazine