The Strands of the Future

Space, the final frontier. Having chosen a name such as Pulsar, these French lads clearly defined their mission to create music that boldly goes beyond the normal perimeters and shoots into that zone “beyond”. The follow up to their enticing debut “Pollen” (a favorite of Peter Hammill, according to the liner notes), which set the dreamy and romantic tone for their crafty style, is this brilliant (like a supernova) recording with the evocative title “The Strands of the Future”. Blasting off with the 22 minute title cut also clearly lays down the obvious that this is no pop album! This massive piece slowly weaves in the trademark Pulsar elements: Gilbert Gandil’s pastoral acoustic guitar playing combining with waves of Moog, Organ, Mellotron and the Solina (a distinct sounding made in France keyboard with a distinctive tone), rippling drumming from the busy Victor Bosch and Rolland Richard’s tremulous flute. When Gandil lets one of his immediately recognizable electric solos fly, the heavens gates are unbolted and a torrent of heady pleasures greets the avid ear. The Floydian allusions are only in structure, as the individual members have an all-together divergent approach, Gandil being closer to Hackett than Gilmour (even looking like Steve circa 1974!), Bosch way jazzier, almost like Michael Giles of KC rather than the sedate Nick Mason and the heavy use of flute and Mellotron (used very sparingly by the “Meddlers”). Also Pulsar proffers a more instrumental medium with only intermittent vocals. The last two minutes float in fluted serenity, peace at last. “Flight” is a short two and a half minute stunning piece of genius, so typical of French prog with an ornately romantic hummed theme supported by a synth-tron combo to die for. “Windows” is the third chapter, with a mournful flute and a sad English vocal with plenty of choir backing, itself underpinned by the trusty Mellotron, all setting the table for a restrained Gandil showcase. The arrangement is very gentle, almost pastoral, a close cousin of KC’s “I Talk to the Wind” (hint) with absolute tremendous flute playing by Rolland Richard and a subtle synthesizer outro. “Fool’s Failure” is the 10 minute closer, another “Great White ‘Tron” infested track, massive walls of sound, whistling Moog flights, a slightly harder edge to both the snarling vocals, the oddball backing voices and the grittier guitar smears. When Gandil unleashes a huge creepy solo, the choir decides to wail insanely, giving this an almost Ange-like feel, circa “Le Cimetičre des Arlequins”. The magic flute dances again with frivolity, enticed by the string metal tapes that lead to weird noises: typewriter, pages crunched and tossed and assorted other oddities until the main theme comes and goes, just like a….. Pulsar. A must have for fans of symphonic space rock, particularly those who enjoy “L’Ecole Progressive Française”. Hey, like Finn and his fantastique forest 4.5 etoiles