CARICATURES

Maybe the strongest name of French progressive rock,ANGE were found in late 1969 by brothers Christian (vocals,keys) and Francis Decamps (keys) in Belfrot,exactly at a time, when progressive rock was at its dawn in France, with bands like ''Dynastie Crisis'',''Ame Son'' or ''Alice'' releasing their first Proto-Prog albums.However, ANGE wanted to give much of a theatrical and satirical content in their music, obviously influenced by the emerging GENESIS sound.Original line-up included also Daniel Haas on,bass,Gerald Jelsch on drums and Jean- Michel Brezovar on guitars.First album comes out in 1972 with the title ''Caricatures'',having two puppets and the band members between them on the front cover.

The album should have been be really a shock for French listeners: a dramatic,theatrical and dark-sounding rock form filled with haunting keyboards and intense vocals.Decamps not only sings in a dramatic,theatrical way,but he also speaks,laughs,cries out and generally behaves more than an actor than a rock frontman,something trully original for a French rock band.The music is supported by a muddy production,which followed ANGE throughout their career as a characteristic of their sound.In ''Caricatures'' symphonic arrangements meet with Classical keyboards,obscure singing and special effects to create a unique atmosphere.The organ solos and passages,often with Baroque influences,are all over the place,sometimes recalling GENESIS,at moments their sound is close to E.L.P. or TRIUMVIRAT.Pianos aren't used often,but when they enter,the album obtains a delicate romantic flavor.Brezovar's both electric and acoustic guitars accompany Decamps' keyboards all the way,having a definite dated,almost psychedelic sound,which surprisingly works excellent with the whole concept.

France's answer to GENESIS were ANGE,and ANGE were here to stay!''Caricatures'' is an album which balances dangerously between drama and romance,tragedy and comedy,the good and the bad...For that reason you should give this band a chance,already from their early years...Very good Symphonic Prog indeed!

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