The Apparatus - Jardin de la Croix

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Jardin de la Croix - Pomeroy Featured

Wednesday, 04 June 2008

Editor's rating

8.1

out of 10

Reviewed by:
Chad Coup
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Wednesday, 04 June 2008
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Music Information

Track Listing:
01. Polyhedron
02. Jesse Harding
03. Suomi
04. Boston Steamer
05. Antioquia
06. Synaesthesis

Artist: Jardin de la Croix
Title: Pomeroy
Genre: Alternative • Progressive Rock • Instrumental
Release Date: 08 April 2008
Format: Full-length
Country: Spain
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Editor review

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful


Overall rating (weighted)		8.1
Musicianship		8.0
Composition		8.0
Experimentation		8.0
Production		8.0
Value		9.0

History lessons are valuable. It's important to know what things took place before current events to make relevant our present time. This is true for all things: politics, social matters, entertainment, and all forms of art. It can be debated that the past should remain in the past, and that the present is the only time that matters. I can agree with both sides, but given the right circumstances, history might overrule the present. Case in point: Spanish instrumental progressive rock band Jardin de la Croix.

There will always be a market for instrumental music. Some of the world's most revered music is instrumental -classical and jazz- and commonplace in many music libraries both archived and personal. There is a rising scene of atmospheric, progressive rock acts that take to letting their instruments do the singing. Jardin de la Croix builds upon many decades of music and composition to create a record that will set perfectly next to albums by King Crimson and Mogwai.

Jardin de la Croix's first album is a very modest one. I find myself gravitating towards albums that do not force the listener to be actively engaged. Rather, this album weaves tranquil, ornate music with flair of honesty. You may put it on and work in your office, allowing the din to fill the room and not be bothered by any sudden awkwardness. You may also focus on the creative instrumentation and how the different band members play off each others' instruments--much like a jazz band.

This band knows their influences. It's almost like 'Pomeroy' thanks the bands that led to this record's fruition. Unfortunately, there is a small problem with that. Jardin de la Croix makes original music that stands on its own, but the influences run so deep that it's hard to differentiate between what they wholly created and what they loved from bands past. All the songs on this well-balanced album call to memory the works of Porcupine Tree, 80s King Crimson, Dream Theater, Tera Melos, Russian Circles, Fall of Troy, and other modern and past influences. Fans of those bands will feel right at home. Experienced listeners of progressive rock will find something to like here, but might end up turning to their old favorites.

There is nothing at all wrong with this album. In fact, it's remarkable that a band with such young members made a record like this. It is a very solid progressive rock record, and it lends itself nicely to the well-established canon of similar bands. Better yet, the album is available free to download. Visit the band's MySpace page linked above to find it. You need a basic knowledge of Spanish to get through the page, however. This album may not be the most original one on the market, but it is an album born of intense love for progressive rock and making music, and that's something I can say for less than 10% of prog bands around today. Listen to the album and enjoy.

Music Information

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