Écailles de lune
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
Écailles de Lune (English: Moon Scales) is the second studio album by French shoegazing band Alcest, released on March 29, 2010 by Prophecy Productions. It is the first album featuring Winterhalter on drums, marking it the first release of the band without Neige as sole member and instrumentalist.
Although it continues into the direction started with the first album Souvenirs d'un autre monde, Écailles de Lune marks a darker, louder transition into Shoegazing, while also coming back to the band's black metal origins as its first release to feature harsh vocals. "Solar Song" marks the first song of the band in English language, and "Sur l'océan couleur de fer" is a musical version of a poem by Paul-Jean Toulet.
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Neige except "Sur l'océan couleur de fer" by Paul-Jean Toulet; all music is composed by Neige except "Abysses" by Fursy Teyssier[1]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Écailles de Lune – Part 1" | 9:52 |
| 2. | "Écailles de Lune – Part 2" | 9:48 |
| 3. | "Percées de Lumière" ("Openings of Light") | 6:37 |
| 4. | "Abysses" (instrumental) | 1:40 |
| 5. | "Solar Song" | 5:24 |
| 6. | "Sur l'océan couleur de fer" ("On the Iron-Colored Ocean") | 8:18 |
| Total length: | 41:39 | |
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| About.com |    [2] |
| Allmusic | [3] |
| Metal Storm | (8.7/10)[4] |
| Pitchfork Media | (8.4/10)[5] |
| PopMatters |   [6] |
| Sputnik Music | (4/5)[7] |
The album received positive reviews upon release. Ned Raggett of AllMusic gave the album 4/5, and in particular praised Neige's vocal performance, writing that "Neige's singing is some of his loveliest at many points throughout the album, a soft keen toward the middle of the second half of the title track, a low and contemplative rumination elsewhere – if not notably different from his earlier work in approach, it's at its most enjoyable here, and perhaps at its most beautifully serene on "Solar Song," vocals overlaid to lovely effect."
Invisible Oranges praised the album, concluding that "Sometimes the things you love don’t need or don’t benefit from explanation. The singularity of purpose oozes off this album – you just get it. Lead guitarist and compositional lynchpin Neige says Alcest is his way of musically translating an “indescribably beautiful haven” that he first perceived as a child. That seems to be the common thread between the artists Alcest allegedly hybridize, My Bloody Valentine and Burzum: a single-minded longing for alternate realities. Kudos to Alcest for bridging musical worlds by listening to their heart."
Personnel
- Alcest
- Additional personnel
- Fursy Teyssier – all instruments on "Abysses", cover art
- Markus Stock – recording
- Neb Xort – mixing, mastering
- Martin Koller – producer
References
- ^ "Écailles de Lune Information". Amazon.com. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
- ^ Schalek, Dave. "About.com Alcest Ecailles de Lune review". Retrieved April 11, 2015.
- ^ Raggett, Ned. "Écailles de Lune Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
- ^ "Écailles de Lune Review". Metal Storm. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
- ^ Currin, Grayson (April 29, 2010). "Écailles de Lune Review". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
- ^ Begrand, Adrien (May 10, 2010). "PopMatters Alcest Ecailles de Lune review". Retrieved April 11, 2015.
- ^ Stagno, Mike (March 24, 2010). "Sputnik Alcest Ecailles de Lune review". Retrieved April 11, 2015.
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