Opus-5 asks us: "Is it abnormal to speak French?". Which would be the only English lyric on the entire album. That should give you some insight into this band's makeup. Perhaps I should just state this: Contre-Courant is my favorite album from Quebec. Actually, all of Canada. Imagine the best groups from Quebec like Harmonium, Maneige, Aquarelle, Sloche, Contraction, etc... as played by the Swiss band Circus on the 'Movin' On' suite, with perhaps a touch of Picchio dal Pozzo's first album thrown into the blender. Flute, piano, bass, keys, guitar, French vocals, and insane drumming are the base ingredients. Nothing sits still for more than 5 seconds, and there are dozens of ideas going on at any one time. And yet it remains incredibly melodic throughout. There are no loose improvisations, or experimental noise bits to wait out. The whole album is composed to the last note, and yet it is kinetic, exciting, and exhilarating throughout! 'Il Était Magicien' is the album's best track, but there's isn't a weak moment to be found here. A true masterpiece, and one of my all time favorite albums.
Ownership: LP: 1976 Celebration. Single sleeve. Online acquisition (2016). This was an upgrade copy. The first LP I obtained was via mail order from a record shop in Montreal (1994).
CD: 1989 Aller Retour. Simple jewel case release. This was my introduction to the album (1990).
1990; 1994; 6/5/09; 1/5/15 (new entry)
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