gabriel keller - hope despite everything - 2024
“... the successor of 'clair obscur' ...”
intro
Until now I was not familiar with the music of the French composer and guitarist Gabriel Keller. So I can't tell you anything about the first album 'Clair Obscur' which consists of a musical journey in two parts. The first part is poetic, dreamy and gentle, while the second part is more aggressive and dark with a soundscape influenced by metal. This second album 'Hope Despite Everything' deals with the absurdity of war through a number of letters from a mother to her son at the front. The album continues in a more poetic atmosphere, turning towards hope. So this album also consists of two parts. progVisions received this physical promo CD from 'Bad Dog Promotions', for which our thanks.
line-up
Gabriel Keller -guitars, percussion, bass, backing vocals, sound design; Lucas Biguet-Mermet - drums (1,2,3,4,5,6,7); Simon Rebuffat - drums (8,10); Charlie Henry - guitars (3,4,5,6,10); Lucie Lacour - cello, vibraphone, backing vocals (1,2,4,7,8,9,11); Jérôme Aubernon - solo violin (4); Emi B - vocals, backing vocals (1,2,3,4,5,6,9,10); Angelina Pelluet - vocals (8); Charlotte Gagnor - vocals, backing vocals (1,2,5,6,7,8,11); Manon Coursol - vocals (7)
review
The album opens with the short and intro-like soundscape 'Why?' First you hear some sound samples which represent the sounds of war, and then an atmospheric part that starts with acoustic guitar and vocals after which the electric guitar gives the track more intensity. 'The Letter Pt. 1' has a more rock-oriented atmosphere. This is mainly due to the heavy electric guitar parts. But the beautiful and melodic (female) vocal parts give a nice contrast. 'The Guns Are Approaching' starts quietly with strumming guitars and beautiful vocals after which the intensity slowly increases with a more rock-like atmosphere and passionately presented vocals. Vocalist Emi B has a beautiful voice and her contributions hold my attention. 'The Letter Pt. 2' has an atmospheric build-up in the first minutes after which the beautiful drumming stands out before the heavy guitar parts make their entrance. Fortunately, the guitar work is varied. In addition to the rockier parts, you can also enjoy melodic solos and the violin solo is also very beautiful. The last part has beautiful melodic vocals again.
The track 'My Son' is full of beautiful vocal melodies and beautifully carried guitar work. For me a breath of fresh air because the atmosphere has more of a progressive rock vibe than the previous songs that often also have rock-like parts. 'My Son' is really a beautiful song. In 'No Surender' those rock influences are partly back, but because of the variation the music is a bit more balanced. The opening of 'Oppression' also has a heavy character with some metal influences. But the threatening atmosphere is cleverly set. The polyphonic French vocals are also a plus. This gives so much more atmosphere to the music. The delicately sung 'Poussiëres Eternelles' is also worth mentioning. The vocals in this song are provided by Angelina Pelluet and Charlotte Gagnor. With this beautiful song the atmosphere of the music changes to a lighter and more positive atmosphere.
This can also be heard in the next track 'Your Way' which musically has more folk and classical influences. ''Change' also has a more uplifting atmosphere and even has a catchy chorus. At the end, the melodic electric guitar fortunately returns, otherwise the contrast might be too great between the two parts of the album. The album closes with the song 'Mahaut' which is an ode to love. It has a sweet and dreamy atmosphere. A nice ending to a varied album.
conclusion
With 'Hope Despite Everything' the French composer and guitarist Gabriel Keller has made a very varied album. The last four songs ('Poussiëres Eternelles', 'Your Way', 'Change' and 'Mahaut') clearly have a lighter and more uplifting character than the first seven songs. Musically the last four songs are also more influenced by pop, folk and classical music. The first songs have more rock and metal influences but are often also varied. Just listen to the beautiful first part of the song 'The Guns Are Approaching'. Personally I find the melodic side of the more rock oriented songs more interesting. Listen for example to the melodic guitar solo and the violin solo in the song 'The Letter Pt. 2'. But maybe that is because pure rock and metal is not my favourite music, and so it has to do with personal preference. What struck me about this album is that there is some great drumming on this album and that the vocals are well taken care of by the various singers. 'Hope Despite Everything' was for me personally an interesting introduction to the music of composer / guitarist Gabriel Keller.