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Fin de siècle is French for "end of the century". The expression fin de siècle generally refers to the last years of the 19th century. It has connotations of decadence which are seen as typical for the last years of a prosperous period, and of anticipative excitement about — and/or despair facing — impending change which is generally expected when a century or time period draws to a close.
"Outside, even through the shut window-pane, the world looked cold. Down in the street little eddies of wind were whirling dust and torn paper into spirals, and though the sun was shining and the sky a harsh blue, there seemed to be no colour in anything, except the posters that were plastered everywhere."
I must admit that Fin De Siècle music was unknown to me till I listened to their last record - "Patagonie".Rather lame acquaintance with FDS for a reviewer. However, the french project drawed my attention so effectively that is my (almost) duty to write about it.
Listening to alternative music (alternative but not electro) I considered "Cold House" and "Cycle Of Days And Seasons" by Hood (Adams brothers output is worth mentioning!) as a distillation of autumn days or cold, stormy, summer evenings atmosphere. "Patagonie" seems to reflect the same point.
With first listening I thought that it's not "some" ambient. Certainly, this record can't be simply called ambient . Metallic patter, violin (is it violin?) and piano sounds (is it piano indeed?).
This metallic patter accompanies us from the first tones of "Patagonie I". From afar of empty room melancholic noises getting out of keys can be heard. Quiet two-minute suite. Wait, cymbals? "Patagonie III" brings more severe tones - bow shifting through strings, seagull song from distance?
More melodic "IV" bring out more electronic elements.
Disturbing creaking or crackling fusioned with delicate keyboard I heard before in Silent Hill (soundtracks created by Akira Yamaota). But Fin De Siècle upholds the mood. Diversity of instruments can be picked out further in "VI" and "Avis De Tempete".
To no avail I could try to review tracks singly. "Patagonie" in its 15 short acts is an integrity - sequence of minimalistic melodies, from which none can be omitted.
The man got up and with boom occulded the lid. Fin.
Tracklisting:
- Patagonie I (2:55)
- Patagonie II (5:54)
- Patagonie III (2:40)
- Patagonie IV (3:39)
- Bradzingue (4:05)
- Patagonie V (2:04)
- Le Dèpart (5:12)
- Patagonie VI (1:29)
- Avis De Tempete (1:44)
- Odyssèe (2:30)
- Where Is Daddy (5:21)
- Patagonie VII (1:43)
- When The Lilies Cry A Last Time (by Serge Usson) (9:57)
- Ghost (2:35)
- SR3 (11:51)
