Leave it to the guys from Musea to dig up another obscure gem! Although Pseu's career was relatively short lived, they managed to record an album's worth of material. Sessions for the CD under review took place between 1979 and 1983.
This Bordeaux band was heavily influenced by Magma and that becomes apparent right from the first track. Although "Beguine" bears a certain similarity to 80s King Crimson, especially the almost funky and danceable rhythm, the vocals are unmistakably Magma-esque. It should be noted that the vocalist sings in French and not Kobian, so there is no need to fear a fictitious language here!
The repetitive and slowly building "Satno Danse" would not sound out of place on Magma's Köhntarkösz, especially with regard to the almost militant vocals of Christian Coutzac. But the intensity doesn't become quite as overbearing and claustrophobic as it sometimes does in the world of Magma.
But the real meat and potatoes of the CD comes with the three closing lengthy cuts. "Vidange" begins as an overtly jazzy track before segueing into a middle section that sounds as if the band had been listening to French theatrical rockers like Ange or Mona Lisa. Coutzac's edge of sanity vocals bring Christian Decamps to mind here as well as on "Miroir".
On the other hand, anyone looking for a mainstream symphonic rock band will be disappointed as the overall musical spectrum is firmly rooted in the Zeuhl tradition. However, I find Pseu's music to be lighter in tone than that of Magma or Weidorje and given to moments of genuine playfulness: "Demascarade" features electric pianos dancing happily in tandem with the fine guitar leads of Philippe Dulong.
For anyone in need of a Magma fix, one could certainly do a whole lot worse than Pseu. Recommended.
Track Listing
- Biguine (2:49)
- Satno Danse (6:59)
- La Ronde Du Jardinier (Simulacre/Part 1) (5:29)
- Rencontre Avec Les Devas (Simulacre/Part 2 (3:39)
- Vidange (10:50)
- Miroir (12:01)
- Demascarade (11:19)
Total Time (53:22)
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
