Messe
Solennelle
Marche Funèbre
Untitled
Untitled
Les
Joyaux de la Princesse's name evokes staggering scrambles for ebay sales
well in the realms of hundreds of dollars. Not just music, there is aesthetic
fundamentals in concept and in artwork and ultimate presentation that
draws such undying allegiance.
"In Memoriam" is no less a package to love, the artist's first
full length work since the duet of Absinthe. Yet despite the clamour for
those who now see investment in the purchase of LJDLP, the music is far
removed from the corrupting reach of capitalism and "In Memoriam"
is a work of shimmering brilliance. In keeping with the previous themes
of LJDLP, heavenly classical grandeur coils itself about French language,
in this case radio commentary by Philippe Henriot, Secretary of State
Information/Propaganda during WWII.
The first track is a solemn exposition of stringed emotions lulling one
another with austere ephemeran until the oration of P.H. warbles aged
remembrance of static-laced radio listened to in dark days, bequeathing
the underlying score a stature more might than blight, that is until P.H.
voice fades away into the cascading blush of the ambiguous. 'Marche Funèbre'
continues saddened strains but curdling the surface of the organs, flutes
and other instruments is the resolve of timpani marching a grim meter
in step with a niggling chaos of other symphony. Horns signal an end to
the march and the music subsumes into morbid accompaniment.
The picture disc, with both tracks untitled, side one is more mutable
than the first disc delving into vocal old-time radio samples, scoriaceous
metal underpins this, gently like a lullaby. LJDLP ominously preludes
the evocative sampled speech and responding crowd furor, stepping booted
feet as rhythm to the rigourous discourse that is soon accompanied by
other distorted speech, all sweeping the track to a penultimate finish.
The last track, and longest, is also the poorest of quality, the samples
flanging sprays of bleating noise due to the age of the samples that lends
an antiquated air to the whole release.
Purists will find a wealth of printed, visual and aural imagery to scrutinise,
while Sensualists can be buoyed on what is another flotilla of LJDLP excellence.
The only flaw would be the sound quality on the picture disc, of a much
lower grade than the 10" grey vinyl.
The packaging is in a double vinyl 10" box similar to "Absinthe"
as released by Athanor. Matte black with silver inlay and interior wallpaper.
Two reproduced printed leaflets are within, a four page Editoriaux by
Philippe Henriot (No. 15 Dernier Editorial, Le 27 Juin 1944) and a bulky
A5 booklet of some 18 pages folded of C'est la France Qu'il S'agit De
Sauver by Henriot (Discours Prononce a Lille, Le 29 Janvier 1944). Three
postcards accompany the printed material, two of which are normal size
featuring Henriot deceased for viewing and a snapshot of his gravestone.
The other is double sided, a shot of wreaths laid and ceremonial honour
of Henriot. All postcards are stamped with the box's wallpaper on the
reverse. The first 12" vinyl is grey, of excellent heavy quality,
and the other is a picture disc of Henriot in life and on the reverse
in death. As a limited edition of 350 copies purchase of this product
is best done via subscription.
NYR