Oddleaf is a French band offering Progressive Rock sounds steeped in 70s influences from bands such as Camel, Yes and King Crimson and a modern, personal touch. The lineup consists of keyboards and horns to enrich the sound with original solutions and a distinctly personal style. The debut album “Where Ideal and Denial Collide” is due for release on October 11, 2024 and contains six long tracks, three of which are over 11 minutes long. The opener “The Eternal Tree” is a short two-minute intro with keyboards in evidence, intertwined with horns and a deep bass background. Linking up with the melodies of the previous “Life,” it immediately plunges us into the magical world of quality Progressive, with fine keyboard work. The numerous sounds are beautifully interwoven and alternated with the intense and dynamic vocal parts, between continuous tempo changes, symphonic openings and intricate textures. The listener is guided through those sounds and atmospheres that one would expect from tracks of long duration, taking advantage of the minutes to evolve the central theme of the piece with technique and quality. Refined solo inserts, a solid and elaborate rhythm section, and phrasing that enhances the qualities of both composition and performance, succeeding in bringing the atmospheres of the 70s into a modern and distinctly personal context. In the second part, the flute enters, giving a pastoral touch to the sound, in an emotional final part where the vocal returns for the last stanzas and accompanies us intensely to the finale. “Ethereal Melodies” is a track we have come to know and appreciate as the first and only single taken from the album. An intro with a dreamy atmosphere intertwines delicate guitar arpeggios, keyboards and flute with a Folk touch to which Adeline’s sweet vocals are added. A song that develops in a constant crescendo of intensity, incorporating Progressive elements as the minutes go by, creating exquisite and refined melodies of Symphonic Prog expressed at the highest level. In the central part the synth offers a solo cue, only to leave room again for the vocal and a refined guitar intervention in the finale. Keyboards and a choral vocal intertwine in the intro to “Back In Time,” a 14-plus minute epic and longest track on the album. With the entry of the vocal, the band develops a solid and elaborate sound, markedly Progressive with a fresh, modern and punchy imprint. The tempo changes and phrasing between keyboards and horns add value to the track, as does the splendid vocal interpretation that interprets the lyrics with pathos. An instrumental section highlights flute and keyboards returning to more classical sounds of an absolute standard. In a continuous alternation of sung parts and intense instrumentals that insert Folk Rock influences, Symphonic openings and more elaborate textures in a succession of emotions. The vocal returns for the last stanzas and the song ends in a musical crescendo with keyboards and flute in evidence. “Prelude” is a one-minute interlude that leads us into the concluding with keyboard sounds and effects modulations. “Coexistence – Part I” is another long track of more than 11 minutes, offering right from the start a gritty Prog sound with more Heavy traits. An interweaving of Symphonic parts and a solid and elaborate constantly evolving rhythm section, dark atmospheres and valuable keyboard work that take the sound to another level. A delicate section with dreamy atmospheres and dilated sounds is developed in the middle part, culminating in a technical crecscendo with excellent flute and keyboard impastos. An excellent conclusion for this disc that leaves us wanting to listen again and again to this valuable and refined work. A band that offers a mature, solid debut album, managing to imprint its own personal touch on a Progressive Rock sound with 70s reminiscences. An excellent alternation of intense vocal parts and instrumental sections that enhance the band’s compositional and execuitva technique. An album of absolute level and a recommended listening to all lovers of classic Progressive sounds re-proposed with a frsco and modern touch, a true masterpiece and one of the best record releases of this 2024.
Tracklist
01. The Eternal Tree (2:06)
02. Life (11:31)
03. Ethereal Melodies (7:55)
04. Back In Time (14:24)
05. Prelude (1:04)
06. Coexistence – Part I (11:20)
Lineup
Adeline Gurtner / Lead Vocals
Carina Taurer / Composition, Keys, Backing Vocals
Clément Curaudeau / Drums
Mathieu Rossi / Electronic Flute, Flute, Backing Vocals
Olivier Orlando / Bass, Guitar, Backing Vocals
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