Taal - Mister Green (2000) {2005, Reissue}

It is rare to find such a strong debut album. The French group Taal recorded Mister Green as a quartet. The instrumentation is typical to progressive rock: guitar, keyboards, bass, drums. Particularly well written, the songs hide many surprises, like the bass and drums motif at the of "Barbituricus" lifted from the Nice's "Rondo 69." That piece and "Flat Spectre," two 15-minute chunks, open the album on a gloomy pompous note, something close to Anekdoten-meets-Pink Floyd, with heavy riffs and guitar-hero solos. This is exactly the kind of thing that can kill a young band…except when your guitarist is good. Anthony Gabard stumbles upon a few clichés, but he plays his metalesque solos with such flare the listener has no choice but to approve. The finale of "Flat Spectre" is no short than brilliant, building on a dark, menacing mood to literally explode on one last grandiose major chord. The fact that it is immediately followed by "Ragtime," a light, playful short number only adds to the delight. The album is constructed around a loose plot. In between songs we hear the sounds of a loud party taking place upstairs (or is it downstairs?). "Mister Green" would be the disturbed neighbor. The title track is the only one with lyrics (sung in broken English). Very quirky with more than a dash of circus music (added trombone, saxophone, and flute), it takes the group's arrangements one step higher. Mister Green stands as both traditional and original in form. What is most striking about it is the confidence with which these guys play. Very professional and strongly recommended.

~ François Couture, All Music