Morse Code

Morse Code is by and large the main progressive rock act to have grown on French-Canadian soil. While more locally popular groups like Harmonium and Octobre were inspired by specific prog elements while maintaining strong ties with folk and rock, Morse Code embraced the whole sound of the style. Where other bands like Pollen and Etcetera were only able to record one album, this group released three LPs in the mid-'70s that can be considered classic international prog rock items, essential to any serious fan's collection. Main composer, vocalist, and keyboardist Christian Simard, guitarist/flutist Daniel Lemay, bassist Michel Vallée, and drummer Raymond Roy met in their teens.

Procréation: After the critical success harvested by La Marche des Hommes, Morse Code kept the same team of collaborators to record the follow-up, Procréation, truly a masterpiece of Quebec progressive rock. One exception: lyricist Chantal Dussault was replaced by Jean Robitaille. The previous album was already an impressive opus; Procréation added ambition, grandiose, and managed to be exempt of any weak tracks. Side one begins with "Précréation," an instrumental piece hinting at the themes developed onside two. "Qu'est-Ce T'es V'nu Faire Ici" (What Are You Doing Here?) is the closest the group gets to the sound of La Marche des Hommes: complex, dark, and witty. "Des Hauts et des Ha!" illustrates Robitaille's propensity for plays on words.

Critically acclaimed group The New Pornographers’ forthcoming new album, In The Morse Code Of Brake Lights, is due September 27 via the band’s own Collected Work Records imprint in partnership with Concord Records.