Prolusion. The French quartet JACK DUPON was formed in 2004, and has since its earliest days been a band subscribing to the Rock In Opposition and avant-garde approach. An active live unit from the onset, but in between concerts and tours one self-released and two label distributed studio albums have been issued too, the most recent of these "Demon Hardi" from 2011. "Bascule a Vif" is their fourth production, a double CD that documents their qualities as a live band.

TRACK LIST:

1.  Intropression 6:04
2.  Le Chateau de l'Elephant 7:21
3.  La Marmite du Pygm?e 9:31
4.  Jeudi Poisson 13:41
5.  Le Labyrinthe du Cochon 9:48
6.  La Cousine du Grand Mongol 9:03

LINEUP:

Arnaud M'Doihoma – basses, vocals
Gregory Pozzoli – guitars, vocals
Philippe Prebet – guitar, vocals
Thomas Larsen – drums, vocals

Analysis. At the Progressor website we have a more or less defined manner in which we divide the workload. Site owner Vitaly tends to cater mainly for the bands that reside within the Chamber Rock/Avant Metal segment, while I'm catering for artists with a less challenging stylistic expression. A division broadly based on our personal taste in music, which obviously means that I'm not as keen on bands that explore this part of the art rock universe. But exceptions do occur, and Jack Dupon is a band that did charm me with their latest studio release "Demon Hardi". But after inspecting this double live production, I think I can safely testify to one thing: Jack Dupon is a band that is best suited to live performances. In addition, I might note that it's been a very long time since a bad has managed to intrigue me as much as these four guys did on these live performances. The music is generally challenging throughout. Distinct melodies based on harmonies aren't a common feature of their repertoire, but when it comes to dissonant effects and disharmonic endeavors there's no shortage of material to find. The core base of their compositions appears to reside in the rhythms department however, tight and frequently quirky drum patterns as the element uniting the stringed instruments wandering off into various expressions and modes of delivery. Nicely supplemented by the bass guitar, that often provides something of a basic motif even when hitting a streak that might be experienced as improvisational in nature, but most likely is a well planned part of the total whole. The dual guitars cater for the most adventurous parts of the proceedings. Tightly interwoven, but mostly in a non-harmonic manner, and frequently providing some exceptionally enticing contrasts. A common approach is that one guitar will hit off on a dampened motif while the second provides staccato and harder edged riffs; another often used expression is that the latter are used as the foundation for a seemingly improvisational guitar solo, with a number of variations of these three most common modes in terms of pace and intensity. Dissonant, almost jarring power riffs, elegant King Crimson-ian escapades and refined jazz-oriented motifs are all common modes of delivery, psychedelic oriented themes and textured post rock-tinged ones appear from time to time too. Never in a predictable manner however, and always maintaining a high degree of nerve and tension. Challenging music of the kind that drags you into its universe in a manner that makes you want to stay, a final asset is the vocals. High intensity talked and shouted more often than regular singing as such, but also dampened, whispered lyrics that add an especially enticing effect when utilized in brief dampened moments in between the often high energy instrumental excursions of this band. All members contribute in the vocal department, which is used to good effect throughout. And everything is combined into a high energy, high octane package on the first disc of this double entry. This first half collects the majority of their shorter and presumably most accessible material, although with one track that expands beyond the 10 minute range and a further three clocking in at just over 9 minutes, I think it's safe to say that accessible is a relative term in this context. But it is an enticing opening to this double CD, and one that quite frankly blew me away. It's been a long time since a CD grabbed my attention this much, and with a good quality audio capture too there aren't really any major negative points I can find here either. The opening 90 seconds or so with a searching, improvisational sounding sequence is the only part that didn't engage me quite as much just about the only detail I can point out that isn't of a superb standard. In total, this is a stellar opening half of this live production.

CD 2 (54:55)
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TRACK LIST:

1.  La Secte des Mouches 31:36
2.  Cravate Sauvage 9:27
3.  Oppression 13:52

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Related Links:

Musea Records
Jack Dupon

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