?

In 2003 I witnessed Ange their second concert in The Netherlands for 30 years. I was impressed by both the renditions of their 'classic' compositions (from The Seventies) as the sound of their new songs, very fresh and modern!

Listening to this new CD again I got impressed by the way French progrock legend Christian Decamps and his band Ange (featuring his son Tristan on keyboards and vocals) manage to sound so fresh, modern and inspired. The 13 tracks "?" (on the background cover you can replace this question-mark by your own title suggestion) sound tastefully arranged and very alternating: spoken lyrics, a tight beat and modern keyboards in Le Couteau Suisse, a compelling climate featuring acoustic guitar, Mellotron waves and vocals by Tristan in Ricochets, dreamy with didgeridoo and flute in Les Eaux Du Gange, twanging guitar, female vocals and accordeon in Entre Foutre Et Fout, a powerful rhythm with propulsive guitar riffs, trombone and flute in the intricate Passeport, a catchy rhythm featuring acoustic rhytm guitarand synthesizer runs from the vintage Korg MS20 synthesizer in the alternating Quand Est-Ce Qu'On Viendra D'Ailleurs? and expressive vocals and a great finale with a howling electric guitar in Jazzouillis. My favorite is the long song Naufrage Du Zoadique: compelling and lots of tension delivering fiery guitar with howling licks.

I wonder how many progheads are up to this wayward progrock but I keep on admiring Christian Decamps his inventive and adventurous musical attitude!

In the end two fine quotes from him: .. Y Avait-il Une Réponse? C'Est La Toute La Question.. and ... L'Amitié, C'Est Le Caviar De L'Amour .....

At the time of this review, this is the last Ange studio album (next one is foreseen on November 25 (2007), the day of their Olympia concert in Paris). I have been reviewing their entire studio catalogue and even if I am a passionate fan of their 72 - 78 period, I have to admit that between 1979 and 2005, they only released two good albums.

"Sève Qui Peut" in 1989 and "Culinaire Lingus". The album "Les Larmes du Dalaï Lama " was not bad either. Along with these, several great live albums will see the light and that's it. Numerous poor and uninteresting studio albums will, unfortunately be the standard during all these years.

Will Ange do any better with this one ? Well... let's discover it.

Lyrics from "Le Couteau Suisse" and "Histoires d'Outre Rêve" are interesting. I guess that these type of lyrics can only be written if you have had some good bottle(s) of wine.... But they are more based on play on words. It seems that throughout this album, the great Christian Descamps has put all his efforts in writing very elaborate texts (as during Ange's glorious days) rather than being extremely creative in the melodies or the music in general.

Some nice mellotron is eatured in "Ricochets", which is an average rock ballad. "Histoires d'Outre Rêve", the longest song of this album is my third preferred song of the album.

IMO, there are two outstanding compositions on this album. But for opposite reasons.

"Naufragé du Zodiaque" is a true prog song. As Ange produced a lot in the seventies. Starting somewhat on the hard mood, the listener might find it rather difficult to proceed till the end. But little by little, the song turns into a more prog mood, thanks to the very good guitar play from Hassan and at half time, the full prog mood takes control. Brilliantly. Aerial keyboards, space-rock oriented and a long finale fully respectful of the best Crimson influence.

I guess that the fact that Caroline has the lead vocal in the song "Entre Foutre et Foot" adds an incredible flavour to this song. It can be compared with "L'Espionne Lesbienne" from "Le Cimetière des Arlequins". While the aspect of a nice and gentle song will perspire form its tranquil mood, lyrics are absolutely phenomenal. Sexually oriented to the limit. It is of course the type of song which will hardly be aired...Alas, if French is not your mother tongue, it will be difficult to get the essence and it is really a pity, believe me. It is the lament of a woman who is fed up with the poor sexual performance of her lover (a drunken football player). What a colourful character !

There won't be any blunder in this album. "Le Coeur à Corps" is a pleasant number : rather rocking at times. Spacey and mysterious at others. The first weak song is "Les Eaux du Gange". A dull jazzy ballad. Press next to discover the two jewels of this album of which I have already spoken.

The end of this (too) long album is rather weak. "Ombres Chinoises", "Sous Hypnose" are sub-par. Even on this average album (by Ange's standards). I really feel bad to end up on a negative feeling, but there's nothing I can do about it. The jazzy mood of "Quand Est-Ce Qu'On Viendra D'Ailleurs" won't change my mind, but the finale is really great. The same mood is also available on the closing number. Same comment, I'm afraid...(with a great finale as well...).

I really miss so much the grandeur and the fantasy of Ange's early recording. Song-writting capability (lyrics) are still exceptional but musical compositions are not on par any longer. I would have hoped that Christian had inspired his son a little more so that he could have brought the lacking fantasy of the current Ange. But it is not the case.

Five out of ten would have been an accurate rating, but I can't go any higher than two stars for "?".