Nemo are a pretty well-known progressive rock band among die-hard fans, but their lyrics being in French, they don't seem to quite get the attention they deserve. Being totally new to their music, I had no idea what to expect, but I was very impressed with the five songs on Si Partie I. The songs are quite long, two of them clocking in at over fifteen minutes. There are lots of nuances and dynamics abounding the album, defined by gorgeous keyboard sounds and guitars, and big bass and drums. The vocals vary from place to place; the singer has a very dramatic delivery, as he moves from melancholic to aggressive to somewhat theatrical depending on the mood of the song.
"Douce Mort" is a strong work of progressive rock touching on an array of sounds and instruments. Sparse piano notes and strings start the piece, before soaring keyboards take the lead with cascading melodies, weird effects, and single bass strokes. The vocals are intentionally muffled, being under chunks of Mellotrons and guitar harmonies. It isn't until the six-minute mark that the vocals are centre stage, delivering the lyrics in a much dramatic, almost tortured tone. They are the perfect foil for the style of music executed, which ventures into slightly avant-garde sections with icy keyboards and crunchy guitars. The guitars are loud and heavy, perhaps in a way most prog rock fans may be surprised. These guys have no worry of toning it down; rather, they churn out heavy riff after riff in order to create bigger dynamics, and bridge the slower, darker moments with the heavier parts. At over sixteen minutes and the song not following any pre-set formulas, there are also eerie, quiet passages, laced with funky bass lines walking atop cold piano melodies. That said, Nemo's songs never take on a fully RIO or Zeuhl approach, as the songs are constantly underscored with melodic signatures and intricate interplay.
"Ici, Maintenant" also begins with classical piano work, but the vocals are a lot more dramatic here to the point of theatrical. The guitar tone is rich and commanding, being the highlight of the piece amidst crackling bass and effect-laden keyboards. There is also a great acoustic ending to the piece. "Miroirs" is the diametric opposite of its predecessor. It has an extremely heavy intro with choppy, knife-like riffs, but to balance the aggression, they retreat into a more laidback nature, allowing the emotive vocals to shine through. Sadly, I do not know who is the lead singer, as all four members are credited with vocals, and the booklet is in French as well. "Si" is the album's most dreamy song, replete with beguiling acoustic guitars, melancholic vocals, and enchanting keys. Some of the themes are repeated through its eight-minute course, lending the song a sense of unity. While very laidback and slow, the song still maintains a dense, on-the-edge kind of feeling. It must be because of the band's vague Magma and King Crimson influences.
On the twenty-minute "Apprentis Sorciers", the influences become more noticeable. The bass-filled groove has a great Kansas-like feel, while the band also uses some jazzy explorations with bluesy guitar solos. The song sees the singer adding in vocals just for extra texture, as it is predominantly based on great instrumental excursions that see them throwing in cool percussion beats and melodic intervals in between fluid guitar and keyboard work.
Si Partie I is a strong release without doubt. Prog fans need to give it a thorough listen - it will reward them.
Track Listing
- Douce Mort
- Ici, Maintenant
- Miroirs
- Si
- Apprentis Sorciers
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