Detailed Reviews [Bruno Karnel - 2020 - "Evaporation Des Voix Off" (Live)]

Prolusion. French composer and musician Brono KARNEL isn't an artist I am all that familiar with, but I see he has been quite the active artist over the past decade or so, with more than a dozen releases to his name from 2011 and onward. His most recent production is the album "Evaporation Des Voix Off (Live)", which was self released towards the end of 2020.

Analysis. Despite the title of this album, it would appear that this isn't what you might call a proper live album, but rather a live in studio affair, with a small band given some aid by pre recorded instruments on a backing tape. From what I can hear it is a rather honest affair within this context though, as my impression is that these recordings haven't been treated with all that much studio magic afterwards, if at all. As such this album experience comes with something of a lo-fi, true life live feeling to it, despite the lack of an audible audience. As this is an album made in the days of the Covid pandemic, one might assume that a proper live concert was out of bounds and that this creation was the best compromise given these circumstances. Armed with an old school string instrument called a charango, which has something of a starring role throughout, we are taken on quite the intriguing musical journey here. Outside of a couple of more indie rock flavored affairs, different shades of folk rock is what we are presented with here. The combination of an acoustic or an electric guitar paired off with the more ancient sounds of the charango and lead vocals with a wee bit of the French chanson spirit to it at times that create quite the charming mood and atmosphere. With occasional dips into psychedelic music along the way for good measure, as well as a few possibly token jazz details here and there. Music that is charming and sincere, and with some bass guitar, percussion and female backing vocals thrown into the mix this is music that should intrigue across a fairly broad spectrum, as long as French lyrics aren't regarded as negative. On a few occasions the palette is expanded a bit more, with 'Adour' being more oriented towards atmospheric laden progressive rock of the kind Camel used to explore, complete with what sounds like a Mellotron flute and organ, while the longer 'Iles Espace' has more of a cosmic folk vibe to it due to the ongoing vintage synthesizer motif that is a distinct feature here. And concluding cut 'En Ti Solo', following a more electronic laden opening, eventually ends up as something of an old school heavy psychedelic rock creation, which in my book is a most charming manner in which to end this live in studio experience.

Conclusion. Bruno Karnel's latest album may not be a universally appealing affair, but it is a well made creation that oozes charm and sincerity from the start to the end. A certain fascination for music that blends elements from rock music with folk music is needed to enjoy this album I suspect, alongside a positive stance to those who occasionally apply the spirit of progressive rock to this blend. It is also an album that I'd describe as very French in spirit, although that is more on a level of association than directed at something I can pinpoint with any sort of precision - other than the language obviously.

Progmessor: February 2021
The Rating Room