The Hard Quest

Univers Zero | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 22, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 28, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cuneiform
• ASIN: B00001ZSVR
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #563,046 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars welcome return? That is not return but new step, February 17, 2000

By 

Dmitry Danilov (Novosibirsk,Russia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hard Quest (Audio CD)

I cannot agree with previous review.It is obvious that this album features more mature style of penning then USED or HEATWAVE.Whats about three first classic albums.Yes-they are more darker and intense,but sometimes volunatary naive.Denis and Co were young people and gothic themes were close to there hearts.Now they are not so young and music become more soft and light.To my opinion it is not fail.People changes with years behind their necks and music also changes. About music-very delicate tunes with strong eastern european touch.Very Accomplished playing from all members.Thoughtful,delighting... I highly reccomend this album to all open minds.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Univers Zero lite?, September 19, 2002

By 

x_bruce (Oak Park, ILLINOIS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hard Quest (Audio CD)

Some fans seem to dislike The Hard Quest, reviewers haven't been kind either. When listening to The Hard Quest I am reminded of a lighter, less edgy Univers Zero but by no means lacking in their edgy style of music.

The album opener "Vieux-Manantis" is a restrained statement of many Univers Zero themes. Instead of the longer format songs from previous albums the songs here are moderate in length and somewhat compressed sounding at times.

Although no "Ceux du Dehors", The Hard Quest is a expertly played collection of mood pieces that range from almost cheerful (for UZ) to moderately bleak.

Perhaps that is the complaint old time fans have towards The Hard Quest. My suggestion is to take it on it's own terms. If any onther band released this album people would be falling all over themeselves to praise it. Because it is the long awaited UZ reunion album a lot of expectations were held towards this album which is a shame.

There is no serious progression from previous works but it seems wrong to hold artists to always living up to listeners expectations.

Taken for what it is The Hard Quest is a very good album by a band that has the seeming misfortune for peaking early in their career and being unforgiven for daring to change.

If the idea of chamber rock interests you or if you enjoy elements of classical or even some of the "world music" albums than this album might be worth your attention.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The return of the kings of dark R.I.O, January 19, 2000

By 

Mathias Jonsson (Enköping, Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hard Quest (Audio CD)

This is the album of the reunited Belgian R.I.O progband Univers Zero. I was quite excited to get this one as I am a big UZ fan. I was delighted to hear that oboist Michel Berckmans was back. So how is the music? If you haven't heard anything of this group I'd rather recommend "1313" or "Ceux du Dehors". The music on this album tries to return to that of these albums, and succeeds sometimes, as with the first track "Vieux-a-Manants" which sounds medieval, with the typical use of harmonium. The musicians all play well throughout, but I think that the album's weakness is the compositions which lack the passion, melancholy and darkness of their classic albums. They sound more like the somewhat dismal pieces of Daniel Denis'solo albums. Still it's a decent album that is worth having, hopefully Daniel Denis and co. will be more succesful on their next album.