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Review:
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Talk about a late bloomer, I'll get my noble statement
out of the way right off the bat. This 2009 album "D'Apres
Le Horla De Maupassant" by (The Box), IMHO is a prime contender
for the best progrock album of the decade(2000-2009). Yes...and
I've heard a lot of them (since I host a radio programme).
On par with anything from Porcupine Tree, the newly reformed
Van Der Graaf Generator and the popular Nemo. One word to
describe this millenium masterpiece is sprawling. Another
would be moody, but in a smoky haze where the air is sure
to clear.***
Elements of Yes, Van Der Graaf Generator, King Crimson,
Barclay James Harvest, quartet- era Genesis, Talk Talk,
Brian Wilson, Bark Psychosis, Nemo, Ange, Steve Morse-era
Deep Purple. All the aforementioned are tossed together
into the unique world of (Jean-Marc Pisapia's) "THE BOX".
This sounds like "THE BOX" and no one else. The aforementioned
are simply inspiration. Quebec progrock such as (Morse Code)
and (Pollen) may also be an inspiration, but that's for
(Jean-Marc Pisapia) to know, and for you or I to find out.***
The intro of the album might remind you of the ethereal
space intro of (ELP's) "Tarkus". When this ensemble breaks
out instrumentally, it's a cross between (Genesis), (Van
Der Graaf Generator) and modern (Deep Purple). When the
guitarist solos, he sounds not unlike "Steve Morse" at his
crying best. The heavy parts do not approach progmetal,
but hard rock prog, Very unlike "Porcupine Tree" where they
appear to be hanging out with (Opeth) a little too much
(which I find somewhat irritating). In short, the instrumental
parts sound like "Van Der Graaf Generator" recruiting "Don
Airey" and "Steve Morse" while getting "Tim Friese"-(Green)
of (Talk Talk) to make sense of it all.***
"Mel Collins"/Jaxon-like sax appears slightly on one
track"Incubus". There's a wonderful reoccuring sinister
sounding keyboard riff that just sends you like a mellotron
would. Back-up vocals are very pastoral and angelic(like
a mixture of (Barclay James Harvest)(Brian Wilson) &(Porcupine
Tree). All lyrics and vocals are in French, but "Jean-Marc
Pisapia's" delivery is very enjoyable in a borderline baritone/tenor.
"Chat Noir" reminds me of the instrumental piece by (Curved
Air) called "PARIS BY NIGHT". "Inpenetrable Mystere" has
a that unique (The Box) droaning keyboard sound from their
very first self-titled album. If that's not all, in comes
the Latin(yes, LATIN chant!.) "Sans Hypnose" has a (Captain
Beyond) groove with "Kerry Minnear"(Gentle Giant)-like keyboards,
although the solo is very "Tony Kaye"(Yes, Badger). "J'ai
Vu" is reminiscent of "Zeppelin II" meets (Talk Talk) wow!.
Nice reverbed piano, This album could be a great companion
to (Marillion's) - "BRAVE"(turn the lights out and turn
it up). The only track that harkens back to "The Box's"
early pop prog is the closer "Super 61" not quite prog,
but not quite new wave either. A track that French band
(AIR) would be proud of, It sounds like (AIR) meets (Matthew
Fisher) of (Procol Harum) and Jobim(brazillian beat) and
Bacharach Pure magic!***
This album is not likely to make (Jean-Marc Pisapia)
a rich man, but it may make him a hired gun in prog rock
for production values alone, Truly groundbreaking.
(5 solid stars).
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