From: davem@uvmark.uucp (Dave Meeks)
Newsgroups: alt.music.progressive,alt.music.alternative
Subject: Re: Meeks' Review #2 - Minimum Vital
Date: 30 Sep 92 05:51:04 GMT
Organization: Vmark Software, Inc.

In article <1179023V24Uv01@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com> ptt00@DUTS.ccc.amdahl.com writes:
>In article <1992Sep28.210047.60949@uvmark.uucp> davem@uvmark.uucp (Dave Meeks) writes:
>
>>Overall, this band compares very favorably against bands like Djam Karet, or
>>possibly even Robert Fripp in a strange way.  They tend to combine elements
>>of JazzFusion with Progressive music.  Someone called them "Symphonic" rock,
>
>I agree. These guys are * NOT * symphonic, but ARE heavily clasically
>influenced in the way that Sky was, in fact some of the tracks here bear
>some resemblance to some of Sky's more upbeat moments. listen to "Hotta"
>followed by "La Tour Haute", yet MV delivers far more rhythmic complexity,
>albeit in a very subtle way. There's a break in "La Tour Haute" a few
>minutes into the song where the keyboards take over alone while the other
>instruments break - whatever he's doing is remarkably complex, yet very
>low key without a lot of flash. Then the other instruments kick in again
>and the song gets back on track.
>

Funny, a friend asked me about the group after I did the review, and after
thinking about it, this is how I would best describe them.  
"Remarkably complex, yet very low key without a lot of flash", to borrow
a comment from you Peter.  They aren't a band like King Crimson, ELP, etc...
because they don't show off their virtuosity with an in-your-face styling
like other bands.  They remain complex while maintaining a very laid back,
low key attitude.  Definetly a band that gets better with time, as the
fun is in exploring the various layers and textures of their music.  An
example to counterpoint would be Dream Theater.  Very talented musicians who
do some complex stuff. However, there is little sublety their.  It is
coming at you full force (and I love it).  This is the opposite end of the
spectrum...
>>Anyway, thus ends my second review.  I apologize as this album was much harder
>>to review.  This is an album that does not have a lot of immediately 
>>remarkable things to talk about, but is a great album none the less.  Truly
>>an example of the sum is greater than the individual parts.  This one is 
>>a definite must for fans of great music.
>
>I think the remarkable thing to talk about here is the excellent material
>written by les freres Payssan, and the incredible cohesion of the band.
>I maintain that MV is THE best instrumental band on the planet, convince
>me otherwise ! (OK, maybe Djam K, Ozrics, and Xaal deserve the title as
>well. Let's just say these four are in the top 5 !)
>
>And thanks, David, for a great review. Keep 'em coming. Who's next ?
>
>
>peter (ptt00@duts.ccc.amdahl.com)  "The Lighthouse Keeper"


-- 
David T. Meeks                    ||" We are jigsaw pieces, aligned on the 
VMark Software, Inc.              ||  perimeter edge, 
uvmark!davem@merk.com             ||  interlocked through a missing piece"
davem%uvmark@merk.com             ||" ...This world is totally Fugazi"
Newsgroups: alt.music.progressive