Customer Reviews

The Hard Quest

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I've been a fan of the music of Univers Zero for many years - it's a wonder they're still around, and, I suppose, a testament to both the quality of their work and the devotion of their listeners that ensures their continued existence. Their music is unarguably dark - but it's also provided some of the most challenging, inventive releases of the last couple of decades. Their sound is very orchestral - bassoon, oboe, clarinet, violin, piano and other keyboards, drums, bass (earlier releases featured some guitar as well) - and very, very `composed'. There are, I'm sure, moments of improvisation in their music - more so in a live setting than in the studio - but for the most part it's very structured and carefully assembled. The music is also instrumental for the most part - with the exception, on this recording, of Daniel Denis' voice on the track `News from the outside'. The music is very rhythmical as well - but not in the pounding sense associated with rock & roll or dance music. It moves with a definite life of its own - and it shouldn't take long for the discerning listener to be carried along with it.

This recording is from 1999 - and while I honestly enjoy their earlier recordings more (their debut `1313', and especially the stunning `Heresie'), this is a welcome addition to their catalogue. This is music for the listener who enjoys intelligence and challenge - there are no top 40 `feel-good' hits of the summer here. Great stuff.

This does sound like dead can dance more than univers. They go towards that medieval feel. The music is more well constructed into actual songs and this is much more 'listenable' then say, 'heresy'. I dare say at one point it almost sounded 'happy' but it didn't last long. This is melancholic ancient chamber music with drums, but really not bad.

I cannot believe that, with rather low expectations, this one has become my favorite UZ album, at least second to CEUX DU DEHORS. Track after track it just is so steadily brilliant and interesting.