DE L'OMBRE À LA LUMIÈRE

Almost 20 years after their last album ("Vers demain" from 1979) French progrock band Mona Lisa surprised us with a new one entitled "De l'ombre a la lumière", the title refers to this (in English it means "from the shadow to the light").

The band consists of singer Dominique Le Guennec and the band members from Versailles. More than an hour we can enjoyan an accessible mix of early Ange and Mona Lisa and new Versailles, obvious less theatrical and psychedelic than aforementioned bands. Most tracks contain a slow rhythm featuring a bit bluesy guitarwork, often blended with pleasant organ waves (especially in "Passions" and the wonderful build-up "Voyage ave les morts"). Keyboardplayer Alain De Lille plays varied (harpsichord, organ, Mellotron, strings and synthesizers), his style reminds me of Tony Banks. This added with the flute from Guilliaume and the strong vocals from Dominique makes the music from Mona Lisa worth listening if you are up to the French language and a bit more mainstream progrock. And don't forget to check out their splendid Progfest 2000 DVD if you like Mona Lisa!