Chaneton - Questions inside the picture (2000)

Continuamos con esta histórica resubida nunca antes vista en este espacio, donde Sandy reparte resubidas. Vamos, después no digan... - me lo resuben, estaba distraído, vamos que todo esto lleva su esfuerzo. Y nunca está demás que le agradezcan a Sandy por el esfuerzo en realizar todas estas resubidas...

Artista: Chaneton
Álbum: Questions inside the picture
Año: 2000
Género: Neo progresivo
Nacionalidad: Argentina
Duración: 56:27

Lista de Temas:
1. Hero's Graves
2. Bridge
3. Tears In The Rain
4. A Long Time Past
5. Dolphin's Song
6. The Last Dream
7. A Long Time Past (Fast)
8. Soul's Shapes
9. The Frontier
10. The Secret Box
11. Heaven's Sound
12. Aquatic Dreams
13. Questions Inside The Picture

Alineación:
- Alex Chaneton / guitars
- Adrian Marqués Gomez / bass, bass pedals, electric guitar
- Carlos Kleppe / keyboards
- Jano Pérez Sermenti / drums, percussion
- Patricio Villanueva / vocals
- Kike Gentile / drums, percussion

Esta banda presentó su album en una doble inauguración, ya que se trató tanto de su primer trabajo discográfico, como del debut del sello "New Mellotron Records" que lanzó la revista/libro Mellotron.
Chaneton venía trabajando desde hace varios años en pos de una personalidad musical que, lejos de negar influencias, las asumía (y lo sigue haciendo) pero generando material musical con un tinte propio. Llegar al primer trabajo discográfico era una meta, pero también un punto de partida donde su estilo se iría puliendo y definiendo cada vez más su personalidad.
Un sonido pulido y una cuidada edición gráfica, aportaron una dosis de calidad a un disco debut que tenía todo en su justa medida: un trabajo al que no le sobra ni le falta nada. Y tal vez esa equilibrada suma de ingredientes permitan definir a este disco como muy interesante sin tampoco ser descollante, pero que retrata el esforzado trabajo del grupo de músicos para poder llevar a cabo, en este rincón del mundo, una música que vaya más allá de las fronteras, y no solo musicales.

This is the first and quite convincing effort from this Argentinian band whose name comes from their lead guitarist : Alex Chaneton.
Incredible first intrumental track (only 1'24"). It is very unusual that such a short track can provide this amount of emotion. The only example I can think of is the track "Beyond" (27 seconds long) which opens the album the "Sun Also Rises" from the Dutch band "Knight Area" (great album by the way).
The singer is truely "Gabrielesque", but this is far from annoying me.
"Tears in the Rains" is very attractive with lots of rythm and harmony ("Dolphin's Song" is of the same caliber). Emotional vocals, Banks oriented keyboards. Did you say clone ? OK, maybe you're right. But I like it. It's only knock and knowall. A very good start for this "Chaneton" debut album.
"A Long Past Time" is a short track with a very nice guitar solo in the middle section (two versions though sits on this album : the standard one and a ...fast one. Rather strange ...I am just found of the melody of this song. Not essential but so nice.
I guess that as "The Last Dream" arrives, it is now time to mention the excellent guitar work of their leader. I guess that it is not necessary to tell you to whom he sounds like at times. But he is really skilled. The best of him is due here. Emotion at its best. But the whole song deserves your attention. And if you like the guitar solo from "Firth" (but who the hell could not love it), just get a listen to it.
The second half of the album is probably less impressive. More guitar oriented, poppier and less inspired. Depending on the song.
"Soul's Song" is a slow paced track. Sounds more like a PG solo work. But again, the guitar break at the end of the song is fabulous. "The Frontier" features a repetitive chorus and is a weak composition. Here and there some good guitar notes; but that's all.
"The Secret Box" is far much better. It is more Marillion oriented (the genuine one of course). Same sort of guitar work than Rothery (another Steve). It is another fave of mine.
"Aquatic Dreams" is the weakest track of the whole album. Poor sound at times, and below average vocals. I don't really know what could have happened here. So far they were rather good (even if carbon copied).
To remind us the "Foxtrot" atmosphere, we'll get "Heaven's Sound" ("Horizon's"). This is of course not the first time that this pleasant acoustic track has been of a source of inspiration for prog bands.
Now, the title track and closing number. It opens on "The Watcher" riff for a few sec. But turned to be a very good neo-prog melody. Good rhytmic and keyboards and a fine way to close this album.
Of course, lots of you could be P.O. which such similarities but at least, you have been warned. If you can't stand this type of bands, just ignored "Chaneton". If you have a certain kindness for these bands who are Genesis influenced, you'll have a good time while listening to this album.
Globally, it is a very nice piece of music but it lacks of originality. Three stars seems to be legitimate for this work. Give it a try.