Customer Reviews

Tertio

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

 

 

Atoll, along with Magma, Pulsar, and Ange, was one of the best known prog rock bands to come out of France. Tertio, originally released in 1977 on the EuroDisc label, was the third album by Atoll. Often compared to Yes, which I can't figure out why, because at least on this album, they don't sound much like Yes (I hadn't heard their previous two albums, so I can't comment there). The music here is symphonic prog as you expect from the late 1970s. The vocals are in French, but unlike, say Ange, the vocals here seem more easy to take in and not as intrusive. The keyboards are also as you expect from prog at this time: Mini Moog, string synth (in this case, the Eminent), and clavinet, with the rest of the instrumentation consisting of the usual (guitar, bass, drums). The opening song, "Paris, C'est Fini" starts off great, but it's my least favorite song here, because they sing about various big cities around the world (London, Bangkok, Tokyo, San Francisco, New York, etc.) which isn't what I really want to hear in prog rock. Luckily the rest of the album is much better, concluding in the ever wonderful "Tunnel". Though not my favorite prog album in my collection, it's still well deserving as a prog classic, and of your prog collection, and if you like such French prog bands as Ange, you're sure to love this.

Wonderful theatric-syle French prog with Moog synths, soaring guitar solos, strange sound effects, and a good degree of musical vituosity.

I really enjoy the music of French band Atoll and feel that this 1977 album is right up there with their 1975 prog/jazz rock masterpiece L'Araignee-Mal. I especially liked the blend of symphonic prog and jazz rock on L'Araignee-Mal, although the jazz rock has been toned down a bit on Tertio. As such, this is great symphonic prog through and through. The five tracks on the album range in length from 4'49 to the 13+ minute two - part Tunnel suite. Total running time is 37'49".

The lineup on Tertio includes Jean-Luc Thillot (electric bass guitar); Alain Gozzo (drums and percussion); Michel Taillet (piano, Eminent, mini-moog, clavinet, percussion); André Balzer (lead vocals, percussion); and Christian Beya (electric and acoustic guitars). All of the guys are great players and there is some fantastic synthesizer work throughout - I do need to single Alain out however, this guy is a great drummer and really moves things along. André has a very dramatic vocal style (he sings in French) that reminds me somewhat of Christian Deschamps (of Ange) - it is very good and works well with the material.

Musically, I think this is an exceptionally strong album even though some folks feel that it is inferior to L'Araignee-Mal. I will however, agree that the jazz rock influences are virtually absent and that highly melodic symphonic prog is set at center stage - which, in this instance is a good thing. As such, you will find intricate ensemble work, a wide dynamic range, virtuoso soloing, superb arrangements, well thought-out and haunting melodies (vocals in French) and harmonies, in addition to fantastic sounds on the mini-moog and Eminent (they are both plastered all over this album). Come to think of it, I like this album quite a lot and regard it as one of the finer French prog albums.

This remastered issue by Musea features great sound quality and the LP style format, although there are not any bonus tracks.

This album is highly recommended to all fans of melodic symphonic prog along with L'Araignee-Mal.