| “Fonya draws from the likes of Eloy, Tangerine Dream, and Camel to create a
very spacious melodic progressive rock... Suffice it to say that Earth Shaper is,
in my mind, Fonya’s most mature and well-composed work to date... Fournier has always
used MIDI technology to the fullest extent, and the sublime arrangements and production of
songs like Seeing Cape Cod Seas highlights his talent. Although I have often
praised Fournier’s work with digital drums, I have been equally critical of
electronic percussion in general. Fournier has gone a long way toward removing any bias in
my way of thinking, as his drum programming is simply outstanding throughout... I can no
longer tell the difference in most instances and probably couldn’t at all if I
didn’t know the drums were digital. Although Fonya’s style remains unchanged
through a quartet of releases, Fournier has matured as a composer and arranger of his
music, causing Earth Shaper to be his strongest release yet. Recommended to his
fans and those who like melodic, instrumental prog.” [Gibraltar - Mike Taylor]
“A long-time, dedicated advocate of progressive rock, multi-instrumentalist
Chris Fournier has released several phenomenal instrumental CDs during the last few years
under his assumed name, Fonya... In the spirit of the best cosmic, electronic prog rock, Earth
Shaper takes the listener on a spectacular musical flight, full of scintillating
twists and turns. Fournier’s expertise on bass, electric and acoustic guitar,
keyboards, and drum programming is nothing less than amazing. If high-energy progressive
instrumentals are your cup of tea, Earth Shaper will provide over a splendid hour
of non-stop musical inspiration.” [Time and a Word]
“Earth Shaper is without doubt the most mature
work of Chris Fournier so far. The American multi-instrumentalist demonstrates writing
skills well above the average with these five compositions, ranging in duration from 7:45
to 25:44 that, with the help of a constant care for melody, never let the listener’s
attention wane... Now each track is a symphonic epic in itself, with synths almost
constantly at the fore... Chris Fournier deserves the strongest support for being able,
with each successive release, to make such significant progress.” [Big Bang Magazine
(translated from French)]
“I got quite a surprise to discover that Earth Shaper
is perfomed solely by Chris Fournier, bass player and multi-instrumentalist
extraordinaire... There are shades of Dave Greenslade in the [first track’s] first
movement and I particularly liked the second part Trinity River Run with its nice
strolling bass line and 12 string guitar, very Oldfieldish as it waxes and wanes. The
opening half of Cathedral Over Chimney Pond with its bass and keyboard structures
is rooted firmly in Yes territory, with a mellow middle section and a soaring synth
finale... repeated plays pay dividends and [Earth Shaper] is now firmly
established on my playlist.” [Acid Dragon]
“An album which to some ears may sound like a 50/50 mix of
Genesis’ A Trick of the Tail and And Then There Were Three... The
chord progressions propel the music ever forward and, combined with the broad use of 7ths
and 9ths, gives the music a floating and romantic feel. All in all a recommended album if
you like the sound of And Then There Were Three.” [Tarkus (translated from
Norwegian)]
“This CD by Fonya is an imaginative fusion of symphonic
space rock and New Instrumental Music. Inspired by nature and the processes of life, the
composer presents the eleven themes of his album like chapters in a story. The music has a
pleasant freshness, thanks to the imaginative melodies and atmospheres. The instruments
typical of rock are wrapped into a crystalline orchestra of synthesizers. The final result
is very good.” [Amazing Sounds] |
|
“Fonya
is... adept at making instrumental symphonic progressive rock in a variety of moods. This
is quite an astonishing album, as Fournier avoids the boredom usually associated with
instrumental keyboard efforts, including enough variety and drama to hold the
listener’s interest... The result is a highly atmospheric mix that combines the
technology of modern progressive with the complexity of classic progressive. The addition
of ringing Fripp/Latimer style guitar in the background is also a plus. Perhaps if Peter
Bardens had rejoined Camel and brought his new age compositions with him, Camel may have
sounded like this. This is not to say that Fonya sounds like Camel, but the thematic
structure and distinctively progressive chord changes carry that trademark.” [Exposé
(Steve Robey)]
“Earth Shaper is a
travel into a fantasy land... A comparison could locate Earth Shaper between
Tangerine Dream's Tangram and Jean Pascal Boffo's Carillons. A reverie
is in the air, aptly forwarded in mostly open major modes by the keyboards, but also
firmly supported by a very present percussive yet flowing approach on drums... Fonya
manages more often than not to maintain interest, mostly because there’s an
undeniable sense to the music, a coherence that reveals a direction... This album will be
savored by listeners wanting a music that flows nicely by without apparent effort,
although capable of letting itself be discovered in detail to an attentive ear... a
soothing and colorful magical voyage.” [Exposé (Alain Lachapelle)]
“[Fonya’s] latest release is one that builds well on
previous efforts, and is simultaneously familiar and accessible, not in the sense of
commercial, but in the sense of inviting and approachable... In fact, this sounds more
like a full band than almost any other project in this genre. It isn’t intended to
sound like a solo effort... The music moves between airy synth passages and addicting
riff-based explorations.” [Exposé (Dan Casey)]
“Multi-instrumentalist Chris Fournier covers a lot of
ground on his latest solo project, shifting from ambient through new age to space music
and symphonic rock. This is the best Fonya album to date, documenting Fournier’s
growing sophistication as a composer. Loads of cross-rhythms and counter melodies create
lush musical landscapes that never fail to intrigue over repeated listens.” [Progression]
“Chris Fournier is one of my favorite artists. His
music touches something deep inside me and gives me a great amount of personal pleasure.
It’s all (4 CDs so far) a mix of spacey keys and melodic bass, with some good
interplay between the bass and the space... A phenomenal work.” [Music Uncovered]
“Compared to the vast majority of current
’progressives’, Fonya is not only especially remarkable as a one-man band, but
also as an accomplished rock arranger. His talent for huge symphonic wedges of sound and
beautifully crafted instrumentals sets him aside from the plethora of mundane tenth-rate
Pendragon, Pallas, IQ wannabees.” [Audion]
“Earth Shaper really comes of age... this one
really hits the spot with the compositions exhibiting just the right amount of variation
and structure to make them really flow along, as an excellent blend of synths, in the
main, and guitars weave some melodic spells that, while still fairly atmospheric and
tune-laden, are solid and inventive enough to sustain the interest throughout... if you
like synths and prog, want instrumental music of great eloquence, full-sounding and tight
but nothing overly demanding, this is definitely for you.” [CD Services]
“A one-man progressive band structuring long symphonic
suites as if he were a 20-man band!” [Stavros Moschopoulos, United Nations FAO Casa Gazette] |
Earth Shaper is the masterpiece Chris Fournier has been leading up to. He succeeds in creating a huge
symphonic progressive sound with a battery of keyboards, guitar, bass, and drums, giving
the illusion of a full band. Here the pieces are structured as long symphonic suites,
featuring recurring themes and grandiose arrangements. There’s a
heavier emphasis on melody, making this the warmest and most emotional of the Fonya
albums. In an era when there are few original acts, Fonya sounds like no one else!