ASIDE BESIDE

"Tadj Mahall Gates"

(Musea FGBG 4445.AR, 2002 - France)

 

Stop ! Don’t go any further !!! Aside Beside will probably keep you busy for a while listening to it !... Unknown not so long ago, this current French line-up already possesses all the necessary qualities to be recognised as the leader of the new French wave. And, knowing the number of good representatives that have appeared in the last months, it’s quite an achievement ! Let’s just mention some of them: NeBeLNeST, Priam, Taal, Eclat, Nnecra Packe, Local 7, Seven Reizh, XII Alfonso, Saens… Issued in 2002 on Musea, "Tadj Mahall Gates" charms because of the large number of influences and ambiences developed there. If the sounds undoubtedly come from the Seventies symphonic Progressive rock, the production is modern and truly magnificent. Based on solos worth of Steve Hackett and keyboard sequences that Tony Banks could have played, the band manages to create an unmistakable personal identity. This constitutes a sign of maturity, open-mindedness and innate sense of perfection that is usually acquired only after numerous albums. If we add to this fact that some of their unconscious references also seem to be Pulsar, the Mellotron of "In The Court Of The Crimson King", Andy Latimer’s flute and even Spock’s Beard, we get a both coherent and accessible as well as varied album. A female voice and classical instruments from time to time complete some truly beautiful intimate and romantic tracks. These musicians’ performance is huge, given that they’ve managed to find the perfect compromise between an unmistakable technique and the will to remain submitted to their music. Without trying to imitate anyone, the singer sings in English with great facility. The texts, of an uncommon truthfulness, are an added emotional asset to a music that is already very rich. This is probably a classic of the future, a piece of work that the following generations could actually take as an absolute reference when evoking the Progressive rock scene at the beginning of the new millennium, something a little like the 7-minutes of the great "Nightmare"… Logical conclusion to all this: if you could only listen to one Progressive rock album in this year 2002, "Tadj Mahall Gates" would be the perfect candidate…

Musea Press