ALC #16 Univers Zéro - Phosphorescent Dreams

[Norman Bates]

From Belgium, I give you...

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Phosphorescent Dreams by Univers Zero

which is the 10th studio album by Univers Zéro, a group affiliated with the RIO (Rock In Opposition) scene.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_in_Opposition

While Univers Zéro started their career (back in '77) with two very dark avant-garde records (listen to "La Faulx" from Hérésie (1979)), they have evolved towards chamber prog, and this is one of their softest releases (not that I've listened to everything, mind you). Some might say they've lost some of their edge in the process, and it's difficult to deny that claim, as Phosphorescent Dreams is not their most brilliant record. However, I still liked it and I thought it might be a good idea for an ALC, as it could get some of you to delve a bit deeper into this RIO catalogue (think Henry Cow, Art Bears, all things Frith, and the extraordinary Aksak Maboul for instance).

Anyway, I wanted something a little bit different, there you go.

[Happymeal]

Haven't listened to this album yet (I wasn't even that aware that there was a new Univers Zero album), but they're (Univers) a brilliant group. I'd recommend anyone to at least listen to their self titled,
Heresie, Ceux du Dehors, and Uzed.

[Norman Bates]

What a triumph!

[Necharsian]

Ack sorry! Its been a killer week for me but I have it and ill listen to it either tonight or tomorrow promisee

[19loveless91]

I actually listened to the album last week. I just had nothing of interest to say. I don't even know if I liked it...

[Necharsian]

heh so I finally listened this and :\ nothing. I didn't hate it. But it wasn't really that interesting either. Reminded me of the title sequence to the old kids cartoon Rupert for some reason haha. I hate these kinds of albums (ones that I'm just so indifferent to) because I just don't know how to articulate anything about them.

Well anyway heres the rankings so far minus a few and Meccas newest one (which I'm listening to now)

1. Death Vessel - Island Intervals
2. Wovenhand - Refractory Obdurate
3. The Fun Years - One Quarter Descent
4. Have a Nice Life - The Unnatural World
5. Phil Beaudreau - Ether
6. Alcest - Shelter
7. The Gloaming - The Gloaming
8. Ratking - So It Goes
9. An Ant And An Atom - You Are No One
10. Angel Olsen - Burn Your Fire For No Witness
11. Univers Zero - Phosphorescent Dreams
12. Actress - Ghettovile
13. Mike Jourgensen - Moodeity

[Mies]

Just finished listening to this. And.. wow, thanks a lot Norman! I didn't know them, so I'll check out their discography. And then maybe the others you said (but I usually take some time to go deep in a disovery of one artist, so UZ are enough for me by now). It reminds me of something else, so maybe it's nothing particularly new, but I liked it very much by first impression. Very evocative, also dark at times.

[meccalecca]

Just realized I never actually commented on this one. This has been one of my favorite ALC picks so far. Never having listened to their older material, this is my introduction to Univers Zéro. I get a feel of a dark chamber pop group going down a King Crimson rabbit hole at times.
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