LA GARE DE TROYES

Ange is without doubt the most famous and important prog band France ever had similar to british contemporaries such as Genesis, Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant , King Crimson, Yes,etc , they developed right from the start their own sound and manner of composing combining symphonic prog with folk tentencies over theatrical vocal lines. They were really big in the '70's not only in France and Benelux but in Europe in general. Like some bands from old school from Britain like Genesis, Yes, their sound turn dramaticaly in the '80s from lush symphonic prog orchestrations to some pop vagualy melted with progressive moves. This is the case with La gare de Troys issued in 1983. While to my ears is far from a bad record, this album offers a kind of progressive pop is kinda far from what they offered in their glory days. Sythetical keyboards typical for first part of the '80s, but not bad at all composed, just listen to the title track , quite good. Another great pieces are Les moments bizarres with great chorus and mid tempo almost mellow Shéhérazade . The last tune clocking around 9 min named Tout bleu vagualy resemblance the great moments of Au-Dela Du Delire, Par Les Fils De Mandrin or Guet apens. All in all I like this album, is not fantastic , is not groundbreaking but 3-4 pieces from here are great, the title track is one of the Anges's most played pieces in almost every concert since is appeared. 3 stars, I simply love the cover art.