“A Brand New World” is the upcoming debut album from FRANT1C, the brainchild of Anne-Claire Rallo, keyboardist in the French prog bands Nine Skies and Solace Supplice. She also energetically runs Bad Dog Promotions, a company that aims to bring underground bands to the forefront.
“A Brand New World” is a piece of work / soncept album she can be immensely proud of. When the project’s ten tracks are released to the world on September 27, 2024, everyone will be able to immerse themselves in the thick, rich prog sounds delivered by Frant1c.
Besides taking the initiative for the project, Rallo also wrote the lyrics, together with Martin Wilson, the vocalist of The Room, who portrays the male lead in the concept. Wilson is accompanied in the story by singer Helen Tiron from Sun Q. Their theatricality is perfectly balanced and never intrusive.
This is an immaculate album of dynamic, melodic progressive rock songs that fill a wonderful story, which evolves through each song with ease.
Mixed & mastered by John Mitchell (Lonely Robot, Arena, Asia, Frost, etc.), Fant1c’s ”A Brand New World” is one of the best progressive rock albums of 2024 – well worth of your listening time.
The concept, or idea, for the solo project evolved out of the loss of Anne-Claire’s husband, guitarist Eric Bouillette (RIP) from Nine Skies, The Room, etc.. The story describes the life and adventures of Charlie and Hope, who have always spent their lives together. One fine day, Charlie wakes up alone in the middle of a completely different and devastated world. He then goes in search of his soulmate, pondering: “what is this world?”. The discoveries and new encounters he makes throughout this adventure to find Hope, invite us to reflect on various feelings and questions that are as universal as they are personal to each of us”.
Since the album is driven by a captivating concept, it brings with it a dynamic, cohesive sound. For instance, opener “Prologue (The Awakening)” has a cinematic quality, complete with spoken word passages and a haunting cello. The track captures Charlie waking up in a new world. The concept really takes off with “Come Back to Earth,” where Alexandre Lamia (Nine Skies, Ingaro) gritty guitar work and tasty slide parts give the track weight, with the presence of two vocalists in the choruses adding further depth.
I’d like to take a moment to praise Johnny Marter (Marillion) drumming on the bombastic “People in Their Cages.” His performance, reminiscent of a ticker-tape parade with golden confetti, is delightful. A beautiful shift in dynamics occurs when the ballad “Where Have You Been?” introduces itself with an acoustic guitar intro. The song unfolds with soaring guitar lines in the choruses and a ripping alto sax in the finale. This is precisely the kind of track that could bring Frant1c greater recognition.
By this point, the album is drenched in a wonderfully steaming prog atmosphere, which only intensifies with the next track. “The Ballad of Peggy Pratt” is an impressive 13-minute epic. The piano in the middle section is stunning, and the finale, with its highly enjoyable guitar solo, warm keyboard chords, and captivating rhythm section, is magnificent. Charlie is truly lucky to find Hope again, and this closing scene makes that reunion abundantly clear.
Tracks like “Sweet Confusion” including a violin part performed by the late multi-instrumentalist Eric Bouillette and “Take a Little Time (The Encounter)” are delivered as duets, with Wilson’s expressive voice paired with Tiron’s clear vocals.
Other standout tracks at this point are “On the Run,” featuring great guitar work by guest musician Steve Anderson, and “A New Path,” which leans heavily into prog-metal before ending with beautiful acoustic guitar and piano.
Finally, it’s up to “Epilogue (A Brand New World)” to close the album with grace. It comes as no surprise that they have composed an original piece of reflective music. As an atmospheric epilogue, this track is highly successful.
Anne-Claire Rallo lets her creative vision flourish on “A Brand New World,” making this a true treat for listeners. A follow-up album is already in the works.
Highly Recommended
Tracklist / Tracklist
1. Prologue (The Awakening)
2. Come Back To Earth
3. People In Their Cages
4. Where Have You Been?
5. The Ballad Of Peggy Pratt
6. Sweet Confusion
7. On The Run (feat. Steve Anderson)
8. Take A Little Time (The Encounter)
9. A New Path
10. Epilogue (A Brand New World)
Musicians:
- Anne-Claire Rallo (Nine Skies) - Guitar, Claviers, Piano, Arrangements
- Alexandre Lamia (Nine Skies) - Guitar, Claviers, Piano, Arrangements.
- Eric Bouillette (RIP) - Guitare, Violon, Piano, Choeurs.
- Martin Wilson (The Room) - Chant (Charlie)
- Helen Tiron - Chant (Hope)
- Andy Rowe - Voix Parlee
- Alexis Bietti (Nine Skies) - Bass
- Johnny Marter (Nine Skies) - Batterie
guest musicians:
- Laurent Benhamou - Saxophone
- Steve Anderson - Guitar / Chant
- Guy Marro - Voice ("Come Back to Earth")
Frant1c – A Brand New World (2024)
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