For those who follow myprogmusic, you should know that I am an unconditional fan of the Quebecois of 'Mystery' (see the various reviews written about them here) and that, consequently, any release from this group will be subject to a new review. And there, I must say that they set the bar even higher with 'Redemption' which was released in mid-May 2023. The aperitif they offered us in October 2022 with 'Behind the Mirror' and its magnificent video that you can see on youtube here said a lot about what they were up to us and, at the time, I said to myself: "this title alone is already worth the purchase of this album". About a month ago, 'Mystery' revealed to us via the 'unicorndigital' label the eponymous composition of the album which only confirmed this feeling (see the video here), because, from the first listening, this title moved me to tears: it must be said that 'Jan Pageau' has a lot to do with it, his heartbreaking interpretation on a gripping melody coming to penetrate us to the depths of our soul and the rhythm section with a bass deep bringing an impressive power without any aggressiveness that one could qualify as "quiet strength".
And after these compositions of this emotional force (which are the first two of the album), one could wonder if the sequel would be up to what 'Mystery' had already offered us. The answer is definitely YES!! Follows 'The Beauty and the Least' which still offers us the best with an epic ballad and with a new captivating melody and I have not yet spoken of 'Michel St-Père' which comes to delicately rock our souls, as if his habit, by conveying a very particular emotion in his guitar solos, like a 'Steve Hackett' who, with a few notes, knows how to make us familiar with the stars: for example, he transforms the rather simple four-minute instrumental passage based over two chords in one magical moment. With 'Every Note', the uncluttered introduction shows a very endearing side and 'Jean Pageau' adapts his vocals particularly well to this atmosphere, then the title gradually gains momentum and alternates sections which bring us back to this quiet strength that I mentioned at the beginning and others much calmer with these divine interventions of 'Jean Pageau' with his flute accompanied by an acoustic guitar. Exceeding 12 minutes, I'm still thrilled with 'Pearls and Fire' which takes us on a long progressive development and whose theme is related to the story of a boy joining the army to prove to his parents that he is a man who will ultimately be killed fighting: the musical construction fits perfectly with this tragic tale and we follow the story with these palpable emotions that 'Jean Pageau' conveys in the central part followed by a heartbreaking guitar solo of 'Michel Saint-Pere'. We continue our wonderful journey with a new musical pearl that is 'My Inspiration' and which, this time, brings us back to the best of the melodies of 'Barclay James Harvest' which are engraved forever in my memory: simply wonderful more than the emotion that is conveyed is still there at every moment! Follows 'Homecoming' which seems to me a little behind compared to the emotion released considering what preceded but which has very beautiful melodic lines and which offers a very beautiful central instrumental part. We are already coming to the end of our journey and a progressive monument is looming with the 19 minutes of 'Is This How the Story Ends?' which is a real epic with all the ingredients any prog fan is looking for. We enter a sound labyrinth in which it is good to let go according to the different atmospheres released and in which we find all its influences from the formations of this style from the 70s to the present day but which necessarily requires that we s linger there to draw all the richness from it. After this magnificent finale, I come out of this hour and a quarter of listening (which went by so quickly!) with an irresistible desire to press the play button again and immerse myself in all these wonderful compositions.
In summary, for any amateur of progressive, there are bound to be albums that mark for life and which become, beyond the music conveyed, a work of art like a painting , photo or sculpture that touches you to the depths of your soul: for my part, 'Redemption' is already part of it and will undoubtedly be one of the flagship albums of the year 2023 in progressive rock and which will perhaps become over time a must in the same way as the mythical albums of the big names who are at the origin of this style like 'Genesis', 'Yes' or even 'Pink-Floyd'... | |
