FEATURED CD: Art Zoyd - Phase IV

[Prehensile Pencil]

Hate to interrupt the love-fest for this album, but it's no secret that I found it (and the following, "Les espaces inquiets") a huge let-down, after the first 3 proper albums. To my ears , they were on their way to a different sound and approach, but wouldn't perfect it until the very excellent albums, "Marriage of Heaven & Hell" (especially) and "Berlin".

[zravkapt]

Page 3!

[Steve F.]

Hate to interrupt the love-fest for this album, but it's no secret that I found it (and the following, "Les espaces inquiets") a huge let-down, after the first 3 proper albums. To my ears , they were on their way to a different sound and approach, but wouldn't perfect it until the very excellent albums, "Marriage of Heaven & Hell" (especially) and "Berlin".

I prefer Les Espaces and Phase IV, personally to Symphonie. *Especially* compositionally, as the playing on Symphonie is amazing, but the compositions aren't what they would be able to do later.

imo.

so take *that*, Mr Pencil.

[Udi Koomran]

Hate to interrupt the love-fest for this album, but it's no secret that I found it (and the following, "Les espaces inquiets") a huge let-down, after the first 3 proper albums. To my ears , they were on their way to a different sound and approach, but wouldn't perfect it until the very excellent albums, "Marriage of Heaven & Hell" (especially) and "Berlin".

mmm.. yes we all know you need to be controversial
Phase IV a huge let down

But seriously For me both Les espaces inquiets and Berlin couldn't follow the towering achievements of Phase IV and Marriage of Heaven & Hell

[zravkapt]

Here's how I would rank the first eight (including both versions of Symphonie...):

1. Generation...
2. Les espaces...
3. Phase IV
4. Marriage...
5. Symphonie...(1980)
6. Musique...
7. Symphonie...(1976)
8. Berlin

[Scrotum Scissor]

^Compared to just about every other band or ensemble I can think of, that's either way a pretty darn impressive string to show for in the span of a decade - or, indeed, a mere eight years (between Musique and Berlin).

[Conti]

I’m a big fan of this album, it is probably my favorite one together with “Generation Sans Futur”. I’m happy that years ago I’ve managed to spend some serious bucks on the Japanese cd editions of their first five albums (via ReR, in this case). They are beautiful editions boasting excellent sound. Then later I’ve also picked up the Japanese versions of the two albums that follow Phase IV, “Les Spaces Inquiets” and “Marriage etc.”, which are also very good. Somehow I’ve never managed to listen to Berlin and the following albums released under their name.