Écailles de Lune
| Écailles de Lune | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Alcest | ||||
| Released | March 29, 2010 | |||
| Studio | Klangschmiede Studio E, Mellrichstadt | |||
| Genre | Blackgaze | |||
| Length | 41:39 | |||
| Label | Prophecy Productions | |||
| Producer | Martin Koller | |||
| Alcest chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| About.com |    |
| Allmusic |
|
| Metal Storm | (8.7/10) |
| Pitchfork Media | (8.4/10) |
| PopMatters |   |
| Sputnik Music | (4/5) |
Écailles de Lune (English: Moon Scales) is the second studio album by French shoegazing band Alcest, released on March 29, 2010 by Prophecy Productions. It is the first album featuring Winterhalter on drums.
Although it continues into the direction started with the first album Souvenirs d'un autre monde, Écailles de Lune marks a darker, louder transition into shoegazing, while also coming back to the band's black metal origins as it features harsh vocals like those found in their second release Le Secret. "Solar Song" marks the first song of the band in English language, and "Sur l'océan couleur de fer" is a musical version of a poem by Paul-Jean Toulet. "Abysses" was written and performed in its entirety by Fursy Teyssier of Les Discrets.
All lyrics written by Neige except "Sur l'océan couleur de fer" by Paul-Jean Toulet; all music composed by Neige except "Abysses" by Fursy Teyssier.
The album received positive reviews upon release. Ned Raggett of AllMusic gave the album 4/5, and in particular praised Neige's vocal performance, writing that "Neige's singing is some of his loveliest at many points throughout the album, a soft keen toward the middle of the second half of the title track, a low and contemplative rumination elsewhere – if not notably different from his earlier work in approach, it's at its most enjoyable here, and perhaps at its most beautifully serene on "Solar Song," vocals overlaid to lovely effect."
Invisible Oranges praised the album, concluding that "Sometimes the things you love don’t need or don’t benefit from explanation. The singularity of purpose oozes off this album – you just get it. Lead guitarist and compositional lynchpin Neige says Alcest is his way of musically translating an “indescribably beautiful haven” that he first perceived as a child. That seems to be the common thread between the artists Alcest allegedly hybridize, My Bloody Valentine and Burzum: a single-minded longing for alternate realities. Kudos to Alcest for bridging musical worlds by listening to their heart."
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Wikipedia