If you paid close attention to our pages last year, you probably noticed an article about Cheval De Frise, a fascinating French math rock duo. Computer Students reissued their tremendous self-titled album back then, and now they’re back with “Fresques sur les parois secrètes du crâne,” another excellent reissue of their 2002 album. This record label never ceases to amaze with their reissues. Once again, Computer Students gave their best to present another masterpiece by delivering a 180-gram black vinyl record housed in a hefty, high-quality jacket decorated with sketches of different herbs. The inner sleeve reveals a fully detailed front cover artwork, while the inlay carries four abstract watercolor paintings of the same herb. Of course, the record label packed these goodies in their heat-sealed protective aluminum bag.
“Fresques sur les parois secrètes du crâne” is unquestionably such a treat. There’s no way you will not love this release if you’re profoundly into math rock, art rock, experimental rock, free jazz, and other avant-garde music genres. This record might seem too experimental to some inexperienced ears, but the die-hard fans of math rock will immediately recognize the effort Cheval De Frise invested in these songs. It’s not just another record with randomly piled-up instrumentations but a thoroughly planned masterpiece recorded in one take. Anyone even remotely into writing, composing, arranging, recording, and producing music knows how difficult it can be to record everything without flaws in just one take. Cheval De Frise aimed for a multilayered experience, where the guitar sounds like you’re listening to several instruments at once, while the drummer delivers polyrhythmic acrobatics through flawlessly executed beats, breaks, fills, and other maneuvers.
The guitar shines throughout the entire album, delivering tremendous themes, leads, melodies, harmonies, chord progressions, and riffs. Every strumming, articulation, and manipulation is fully synchronized with progressive, jazz, and math rock rhythmic structures, where odd-time tempos reign supreme. Cheval De Frise may seem chaotic at some moments, but these folks implemented everything with more than a good purpose. Their songs act like luxurious sonic journeys where every segment might turn into chaos, then all of a sudden everything gets back to order. As I said before, inexperienced ears will see this release as complete nonsense, while those die-hard math rock fans will recognize the brilliance of both musicians, who assembled a masterpiece ahead of its time. Whatever side you pick, there are no doubts Cheval De Frise is a brilliant band that deserves your utmost attention because “Fresques sur les parois secrètes du crâne” hides many impressive moments where their collective experience, knowledge, skills, talent, ideas, and musicianship shine. Head to Computer Students for more information about ordering this math rock gem.
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