M83, the brainchild of Anthony Gonzalez, is appropriately named after a spiral galaxy in the Hydra Constellation. Giving us spacy, trance-like techno music mixed with choral vocals and effects, Gonzalez manages to bring to life an epic soundscape which would feel right at home as the soundtrack to a sci-fi oddyssey. Former M83 partner Nicolas Fomageau has departed to pursue his own musical projects, so Gonzalez handled most of the recording himself, with only bass and drums recorded by others.

The underlying organ background which is a prevalent sound throughout the album and a strong component of Gonzalez's style gives a strange, airy feel to the whole thing. Songs like "*" and the far-too short acoustic "I guess I'm Floating" stand out nicely since they break out of that mold and present the music without the background-ish white noise. In other songs, it fits perfectly with the dramatic theme and emotional feel Gonzalez is trying to bring out, such as with "Moonchild" and the oustanding "Don't save us from the flames," the first single (available for stream below). While never explicitly stated, either through the lyrics or the linear notes, the CD has a concept-type dramatic feel of a night of extreme terror such as running from a ghost or vampire or serial killer particularly when one gets to the strange spoken-word composition of "Car chase terror!"

A good CD with some very bright moments, Before The Dawn Heals Us is a worthy follow-up to the acclaimed Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts.

The permanent touring line up for M83, Anthony Gonzalez (guitar, keyboards) / Ludovic Morillon (drums) / Stephane Bouvier (bass) / Philippe Thiphaine (guitar), will tour North America in support of Before The Dawn Heals Us, including the 2005 Coachella Festival in Indio, CA.

M83 2005 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
04/12 Tue Boston Paradise
04/13 Wed New York Bowery Ballroom
04/14 Thu New York Bowery Ballroom
04/15 Fri Washington, DC Black Cat
04/16 Sat Philadelphia Trocadero
04/18 Mon Montreal Cabaret Music Hall
04/19 Tue Toronto Lee's Palace
04/20 Wed Columbus Wexner Center
04/21 Thu Chicago Empty Bottle
04/22 Fri Chicago Empty Bottle
04/23 Sat Minneapolis Triple Rock Club
04/26 Tue Seattle Chop Suey
04/27 Wed Portland Holocene
04/28 Thu San Francisco Bimbos 365 Club
04/30 Sat Indio, CA Coachella Festival

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"Don't Save Us From The Flames" (Audio)
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"Don't Save Us From The Flames" (Video)
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rating: 7 of 10