After a few years and a light change in lineup -- saxophonist Lyne Goulet has been replaced by violinist Marc Gagnon -- Interférence Sardines released their second CD in late 2001. Zucchini marked the group's entrance in Ambiances Magnétiques' stables. The ideas tried on their self-produced... [+] Expand

After a few years and a light change in lineup -- saxophonist Lyne Goulet has been replaced by violinist Marc Gagnon -- Interférence Sardines released their second CD in late 2001. Zucchini marked the group's entrance in Ambiances Magnétiques' stables. The ideas tried on their self-produced debut, Mare Crisium, were carried over to this album, namely the untitled improvisations/collages that occasionally serve as interludes between songs. The dual-violin front line has enhanced the East-European/Arabic influences of the group, giving the Sardines a strongly personal avant-prog sound. The wild energy of Guigou Chenevier's Volapük or the Japanese powerhouse Happy Family forms the basis of this album. Guitarist Philippe Venne writes complex pieces with intricate melodies, changing time signatures, and off-the-wall harmonies. The whole thing is propelled by drummer extraordinaire Frédéric Lebrasseur. Highlights include the opener "Luthier Sportif," a reworking of "Mare Crisium," and "Un Autre Poisson dans l'Mur" (Another Fish in the Wall), the latter a summation of the group's sound in three minutes. The two vocal tracks -- "Un Nescalier" and "La Girafe" (the latter wrongly indicated as track 12; it should be 11) -- are less satisfying than "Un Mouton" on the previous album. Singer Andrée Bilodeau does a good job on them but they sound more puerile. Track 12 hides a beautiful violin duet between Bilodeau and Gagnon, while "Fuite" is a 13-minute prog rock roller coaster: think Nebelnest, Samla Mammas Manna, and Henry Cow having a party. Goulet and Ambiances Magnétiques percussionist Pierre Tanguay appear as guests. ~ François Couture, All Music Guide [-] Collapse

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