Etcetera - Fin De Siecle

Year of Release: 1999
Label: Record Heaven
Catalog Number: RHCD14
Format: CD
Total Time: 52:15:00

We are going south where we meet the magnificent Etcetera in Denmark. As it happens with a lot of bands it took them twelve years before a first album was released. It has been worth the long wait because Fin De Siècle - one couldn't ask for a better title this time of year - is a work of art in the domain of symphonic rock! The pivot on which everything hinges is multi-instrumentalist Frank Carvalho who, thank god, puts the spotlight onto his keyboards. One moment he's a copy of Keith Emerson, the next he tries to "outplay" Alan Gowen. Although the seven compositions differ in style the name Gentle Giant crops up frequently. Strangely enough I have to point out that there used to be a Canadian band who were also very much influenced by Gentle Giant and who were called ? Et Cetera (in two words)! Talk of coincidence !

In the instrumental "Gongtric" we don't have to explain where the influences have to be traced from. Singer Michael Munch-Hansen lets us hear his uncertain Danish voice during "Vuggevise" whilst Carvalho adds a nice touch of Pink Floyd in true David Gilmour tradition. Pity that once again a drum-computer is used here (drummer Johnnie McCoy only drums on two of the seven songs) which extra emphasizes my slogan "all drum-computers should be banned from progressive rock!" The band loses all track during "Absolute Dance Party III" in which they try to sound like Kraftwerk. The most powerful track on the album is the title song where Munch-Hansen's voice steers in the direction of Justin Hayward [Moody Blues]. All possible styles are mingled whilst synths, Fender Rhodes and Mellotron form the counterpart for the acoustic guitar.

Without any doubt one of the bands to watch out for and I hope we won't have to wait another ten years for the sequel from this splendid find: Etcetera!

Tracklisting:
Charles Unhealthy Pictures (8:53) / Infinite Chords (4:45) / Gongtric (7:09) / Vuggevise (5:04) / Anagrams (12:11) / Absolute Dance Party III (5:20) / Fin de Si?cle (9:33)

Musicians:
Michael Munch-Hansen - lead vocals and piano
Johnnie McCoy - drums and percussion
Aders Kjoerulff - bass
Frank Carvalho - guitars, keyboards, backing vocals, bass, and drum programming

Discography:
Fin De Siecle (1999)
Tales Of Ardour And Deceit (2003)D

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin DE

Added: January 1st 2000
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: users.cybercity.dk/~dko4342/
Hits: 3274
Language: english