By: Johell

Posted: Jan 10, 2006

This Genevean band formed in 2002 and this is the first release from them. All four members have been in the scene for many years in different bands, like Fragment, Forge, Last Torridas, Prejudice and Seaplane Harbor. This album contains 9 tracks of great powerful rock n' roll with tracks sung in both English and French. This album was recorded and mixed by Gabriel Farine, the singer and bass player, in his own studio and it has been released on Urgence Disk Records, which also hails from Geneva.

"The Shores Become Visible" opens with 'At The Rate Of The Medusa', a great instrumental track that contains a vocal line which here is used as an extra instrument that follows the drums, guitars and bass. The opening riff is damn good and the whole track is really powerful and fresh.

The next song to follow is 'Le Cerf-Volant'. More laid back, with a calm aerial voice, this song still rocks and contains a nice melody, the guitars are clear and the drumming present and precise. The French lyrics are nice as well.

'The Path Of The Stars' is a song with English and French lyrics, the guitars and bass rocks and the drumming gives a good vibe to the whole. The middle of the song has a real good bridge with a cool bass line, soon followed by clear guitars and a nice drumming. There is something poppy in that track, which is well executed.

The next track, 'I Ride With My Own Blood' is more powerful, a cool and interesting break appears in the middle of the song and the voice is aerial as well as the backing vocal performed. The melody on 'Kingdom Of Delight' is refreshing and has a poppy vibe as well, it still rocks. The break in the middle of the track is almost melancholic, and right after the quator gives some nice power to lift the song again, until it dives to 'Fallout' a track with a great Queen Of The Stone Age feeling.

'Railway Sioux' explores even more of their rock n' roll fantasies with this fresh and powerful instrumental track. Excellent!

Another French track follows with 'J'embrasserai ta Plaie'. A little less powerful than than the other tracks. It still contains strong guitar work and good singing. Their last song is probably their most melancholic one. 'Into The Quiet Light Of Blue Dawn' still has a very interesting melody with cool guitar playing and some simple nice vocals and backing vocals that gives something extra to this last track.

If you like progressive rock and stoner bands like Kyuss, QOTSA, maybe also good pop-rock groups, you should find some good moments on this album, with this inventive band. A very pleasant first album Macadam Pale Horses has come with. Good work!

Rating: 7/10

Macadam Pale Horses website

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