- Audio CD (25 April 2000)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Cuneiform
- ASIN: B00001ZSVR
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 383,205 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Vieux-Manants |
| 2. Civic Circus |
| 3. Affinite |
| 4. Rouages |
| 5. News From Outside |
| 6. Rebus (To All Children) |
| 7. Kermesse Atomique |
| 8. Succes Damne |
| 9. L'impasse Du Cholera |
| 10. Xenantaya |
| 11. L'oubli |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Audio CD
King Crimson, Bartok, Stravinsky, Henry Cow, Van der Graaf Generator, Charles Ives, Anthony Braxton, Soft Machine and Frank Zappa are some of the influences cited by Univers Zero, so one can immediately see that they are interested in creating music that stimulates, challenges and moves. I would also say that I hear touches of This Heat in their music. Their music speaks to both the mind and the spirit.
They recorded their first album in 1977 and it only took me nearly 30 years to hear of them and hear them. I am now well on my way to making good the lost time by buying all their albums. Although their line-up changes on each album (apart from drummer Daniel Denis) there is a consistency of purpose and quality that belies the years of line-up changes. All their albums (I'm nearly up to date!) are worthy of investigation I would say. There is no typical track on any album and no typical album, because of their interest in creating new music rather than any re-hashing. In terms of "sound" they tend to create using a mixture of modern electric stuff and older acoustic stuff. For example, a synthesizer and a bassoon!
A great band then that I recommend to anyone with an interest in truly modern music.
They recorded their first album in 1977 and it only took me nearly 30 years to hear of them and hear them. I am now well on my way to making good the lost time by buying all their albums. Although their line-up changes on each album (apart from drummer Daniel Denis) there is a consistency of purpose and quality that belies the years of line-up changes. All their albums (I'm nearly up to date!) are worthy of investigation I would say. There is no typical track on any album and no typical album, because of their interest in creating new music rather than any re-hashing. In terms of "sound" they tend to create using a mixture of modern electric stuff and older acoustic stuff. For example, a synthesizer and a bassoon!
A great band then that I recommend to anyone with an interest in truly modern music.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
welcome return? That is not return but new step
17 Feb 2000
Format:Audio CD
I cannot agree with previous review.It is obvious that this album features more mature style of penning then USED or HEATWAVE.Whats about three first classic albums.Yes-they are more darker and intense,but sometimes volunatary naive.Denis and Co were young people and gothic themes were close to there hearts.Now they are not so young and music become more soft and light.To my opinion it is not fail.People changes with years behind their necks and music also changes. About music-very delicate tunes with strong eastern european touch.Very Accomplished playing from all members.Thoughtful,delighting... I highly reccomend this album to all open minds.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Univers Zero lite?
20 Sep 2002
Format:Audio CD
Some fans seem to dislike The Hard Quest, reviewers haven't been kind either. When listening to The Hard Quest I am reminded of a lighter, less edgy Univers Zero but by no means lacking in their edgy style of music.
The album opener "Vieux-Manantis" is a restrained statement of many Univers Zero themes. Instead of the longer format songs from previous albums the songs here are moderate in length and somewhat compressed sounding at times.
Although no "Ceux du Dehors", The Hard Quest is a expertly played collection of mood pieces that range from almost cheerful (for UZ) to moderately bleak.
Perhaps that is the complaint old time fans have towards The Hard Quest. My suggestion is to take it on it's own terms. If any onther band released this album people would be falling all over themeselves to praise it. Because it is the long awaited UZ reunion album a lot of expectations were held towards this album which is a shame.
There is no serious progression from previous works but it seems wrong to hold artists to always living up to listeners expectations.
Taken for what it is The Hard Quest is a very good album by a band that has the seeming misfortune for peaking early in their career and being unforgiven for daring to change.
If the idea of chamber rock interests you or if you enjoy elements of classical or even some of the "world music" albums than this album might be worth your attention.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
The return of the kings of dark R.I.O
19 Jan 2000
Format:Audio CD
This is the album of the reunited Belgian R.I.O progband Univers Zero. I was quite excited to get this one as I am a big UZ fan. I was delighted to hear that oboist Michel Berckmans was back. So how is the music? If you haven't heard anything of this group I'd rather recommend "1313" or "Ceux du Dehors". The music on this album tries to return to that of these albums, and succeeds sometimes, as with the first track "Vieux-a-Manants" which sounds medieval, with the typical use of harmonium. The musicians all play well throughout, but I think that the album's weakness is the compositions which lack the passion, melancholy and darkness of their classic albums. They sound more like the somewhat dismal pieces of Daniel Denis'solo albums. Still it's a decent album that is worth having, hopefully Daniel Denis and co. will be more succesful on their next album.
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