reviews / 2010

ALPS - Le Voyage

Name: ALPS – Le Voyage
Item: Le Voyage
Rating: 6
Author: Francesco Nunziata

2010 (Type)

Psych-folk

by Francesco Nunziata

Just two years ago, the excellent "III" had cemented the trio of Jefre Cantu-Ledesma (Tarentel), Alexis Georgopoulos (ARP) and Scott Hewicker (Troll) as one of the most interesting neo-psychedelic outfits of recent years. The new record, "Le Voyage", while falling short of expectations, confirms that status, thanks to a clutch of finely chiseled psych-folk instrumentals.

More subdued and less daring than its predecessor, the new "journey" also reveals, among other things, the band's more buoyant side. When it reaches for the stars, the indelible traces of Pink Floyd are unmistakable (the placid oases of "Saturno Contro"), while when the raga casts its full spell, the first name that springs to mind is certainly Popol Vuh (the languid figures of "Black Mountain" and the epic splendor of "Telepathe").

In between flow the elegant, luminous textures of "Drop In", the percussive and sparkling "Crossing The Sands", the seventies-style languor of "St. Laurent", the electronic expressionism mixed with light pianistic drizzle of "The Lemon Tree", and, on the title track, pastoral transfigurations that morph into cosmic reveries.

Balancing exquisite taste with a touch of mannerism, The Alps continue down their revisionist path, in search (hopefully soon!) of another stroke of class.

Ride the wave of great music

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02/05/2010

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This article is an English translation of the original Italian text by Francesco Nunziata, published on OndaRock.it. It was translated with the help of artificial intelligence, under the editorial responsibility of OndaRock's editor-in-chief, Claudio Fabretti.

Read the original in Italian · About the English edition