Well, folks, kind of a different review here. Here is a "band" out of France. It's very unique and intriguing to me, because this "band" is only one guy, uno compadre, riding the lonely train....you get my drift. He has written and recorded this disc all by himself on a PC. I mean all of us guys have flown solo before, but not like this! No it is not a KRAFTWERK rip-off, he has played all the instruments, written all the music and lyrics, sang, recorded, mixed (and promoted) the entire package. Good God, I can barely make it to work on time, and this guy is running circles around me before I can rub the sleep from my eyes. This DIY-obsessed artist's name is Boubou (you've gotta love the French), and his nickname is THULIUM. He says that he is currently seeking other musicians to gig with him so that he can play live shows. He lists influences of STAIND, METALLICA, and EVANESCENCE for music that he describes as "alternative rock/metal". I think that this guy is on the right track for the kind of music that he is trying to create, even if it is not everyone's cup of tea.

The finished product is something that I haven't heard before. I have to say, that musically, the guitar takes too much of a backseat for my liking, and at the same time it sounds much too polished. Vocally, Boubou moves vocally from clean, soft singing to a rough growl/chant. The vocals are OK, but there is a reason that everyone is not doing the same thing. They can't. I think all in all, he deserves a hand for what he has brought to the table, and has a lot of balls trying this all by his lonesome.

Musically, the track "Delusions of Grandeur" (no pun intended) has some cool dual-guitar harmonies along with a gruff vocal attack, making for a good contrast in a song that tends to stick in your head long after you hear it. "Everything" includes a sitar-like intro and evolves into a grungy SILVERCHAIR type of romp. In total, there are thirteen songs and not a bad one in the bunch. Again, a little too "constructed" for the average listener, he needs to find some other musicians to record with to get more of a live, raw sound that you can sink your teeth into. So after French fries, French bread, French toast, and VULCAIN, I have found another French thing that ain't so bad. Check out the link below for more info. Good luck and Au revoir.

- name

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/thulium69

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