11 songs
Length: 44:30
Available to buy from Fat Possum Records
French musician, Melody Prochet, released her debut album as
Melody's Echo Chamber in 2012. Described as psychedelic rock/dream pop, it was
produced by Kevin Parker of Australian rock and roll band, Tame Impala. With
her second album 'Bon Voyage,' due to be released this year, I figured now
would be the perfect time to revisit Prochet's stunning debut.
Prochet began as a classical music student. She met Parker
while supporting Tame Impala on their 2010 European tour with her previous act,
My Bee's Garden. Prochet claimed that she found the study of classicism
restrictive, so it was a natural progression for her to collaborate with
someone with a rock and roll background
(Fat Possum Records). The result is a
psychedelic, space rock/dream pop adventure.
Prochet delivers beautiful melodies and sings with a sugary
sweet voice. 'I Follow You' has an ethereal quality to it, the sweetness
ruffled slightly by fuzzed out guitars and finishing off with a noisy riff
reminiscent of that signature Dinosaur Jr. sound. 'Crystallized' begins with
dreamlike, echoing melodies, before descending into psychedelic, distorted
space rock madness. 'You Won't be Missing That Part of Me' sounds like rock and
roll chamber music from space.
Prochet's classical background is apparent, meshing nicely
with a rock and roll sound. 'Some Time Alone, Alone' pairs beautiful arpeggios with
a heavier rock sound and the album's quintessential reverb. 'Quand Vas Tu
Rentrer' incorporates beguiling chord arrangements that create a 1960’s French
pop feel; a bit like Francoise Hardy or France Gall. 'Bisou Magique' employs
musical texture to great effect, imbuing it with a dark, otherworldly quality.
The album delves into experimental territory on,
'IsThatWhatYouSaid,'a mish mash of distortion and effects that has the feeling
of a bad acid trip; and 'Snowcapped Andes Crash,' which sharply veers away from
the album's mostly pop rock sound. On 'Be Proud of Your Kids' we are treated to
the prattle of a cute, little French kid, while Prochet croons in her sweet,
girlish voice that we should show our children love every chance that we get.
'Melody's Echo Chamber,' is an interesting ride. The overall
dream pop/space rock flavour works nicely with Prochet's sweet sounding voice
and enchanting arrangements. The first half of the album is definitely
stronger, with the second half losing focus towards the end. But it's well
worth a listen (or thirty) and I'm looking forward to hearing more from
Melody's Echo Chamber in the very near future.
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