M- PULSAR HALLOWEEN Symphonic FLOYD GENESIS PROG Psych

$

26

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 SYMPHONIC PROGRESSIVE CONCEPTUAL CLASSIC

         ORIGINAL 70's COLLECTIBLE

                           PULSAR   

                    HALLOWEEN

                       ...France - orange CBS Records - 82477

ORIGINAL 70's first pressing in lavish gatefold cover...PULSAR scored no less than three highly rated albums, deservedly so, with their rich atmospheric blends of FLOYDIAN progressive adventures ....

After their spaced-out debut, Pulsar released their second album Strands Of The Future that sounded drastically different, presenting a very Progressive-based symphonic prog that would actually pave the way (and in a way pre-face) for future neo-prog groups of the 80’s and give Ange, Pulsar, Pink Floyd and the pioneer bands a run for its money in terms of national sales. With their third album Halloween (recorded in Switzerland), Pulsar reached their artistic peak, even earning a release on an international CBS label. The album is made from two multi-movement suites sung in English. Sound-wise Pulsar still retains the Floyd soundscapes that was their trademark, and some early Gabriel/Genesis influence is more notable than on their previous two albums. And while Pulsar had everything to gain with the promotion of this album, their CBS label (where they had a three-record deal) suddenly decided for obscure reasons not to promote it, cutting Pulsar’s wings, as they were about to soar towards unsuspected heights.

 'Halloween' is a stunning concept album in which Pulsar continues to explore in its own reflective mood and vibrant melancholy, though the symphonic aspect of their prog is notably enhanced by a couple of factors: the employment of a major range of instrumentation (the flautist also plays clarinet, the keyboards and percussions are more abundant, guests on cello and congas), and the programatic, almost cinematographic disposition of the sections comprised in both Parts of the material. The varied musical passages make fluid transitions from introspective melancholy ('Sorrow in My Dreams', the introductory section of 'Tired Answers') to mysterious agressiveness (the tribal 'Fear of Frost', the rocky section of 'Tired Answers') to sheer sweetness (the sung parts of 'Lone Fantasy' and 'Colours of My Childhood'), which shows you how well these musicians can deal with perfect compenetration while exhibiting their own individual skills for the whole group's benefit.

The gloomy density and mysterious tone that flood all over "Halloween" reaches some occasional creepy peaks sometimes (the climatic synth leads on 'Fear of Frost' flow magically on the groovy rhythm section as expressing a dance of sinister creatures drunk in a metaphysical joy), but never in the sense of a ghost story or terror movie: more like a psychological thriller, a certain indefinite horror that comes from an instrospective point of view. An example comes from the comparison between the first two sections of Part II. The sung sections of 'Lone Fantasy' and 'Dawn Over Darkness' are equally melancholic with an overwhelming vibration, but the former is sustained on a controlled use of the basic melodies and textures, while the latter utilizes a more expansive colorfulness (the doubling of flute and clarinet and the soaring guitar leads are simply delicious). The last section features soaring dual keyboard layers aupon which a voice that imitates a castrato's Latin singing adds a weird sense of subtile humor to the overall mysterious vibe. If "The Strands of the Future" signified Pulsar's arrival to its stage of maximum maturity in the quest for their own voice, "Halloween" was a step forward in the evolution of that voice. Conclusion: an undisputed gem of French prog, whose special beauty and eerie unquietness can't be reached by human words.

- Victor Bosch / drums, percussion, vibes
- Gilbert Gandil / guitars, vocals
- Michel Masson / bass guitar
- Roland Richard / flute, clarinet, acoustic piano, strings
- Jacques Roman / keyboards, Mellotron, synthesizers

1. Halloween part I: (20:30) 
a) Halloween song (1:20) 
b) Tired answers (9:30) 
c) Colours of childhood (6:00) 
d) Sorrow in my dreams (3:40) 
2. Halloween part II: (18:40) 
a) Lone fantasy (4:50) 
b) Dawn over darkness (6:10) 
c) Misty garden of passion (2:15) 
d) Fear of frost (3:35) 
e) Time (1:50)

CONDITION: The cover is a fragile well taken care of gatefold at M- is still in TOP form with no problems other than a very minor circle delete at bottom back cover only that does NOT go through the pocket -- the gatefold is glossy, crisp and solid with no split seams, no bends, no writing -- a definite beauty...

The vinyl is all glossy clean and smooth M- looks like an instant keeper. The CBS labels are both clean 

                keeper copy!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for more & more of similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record