AVANT QU'IL NE SOIT TROP TARD

Bands like Ange, Atoll and Mona Lisa took Peter Gabriel's theatrics a couple of stages further down the theatrical and operatic path. It is on this Theatrical Symphonic Prog path we find this album. The both spoken and operatic vocals is pretty much in the front of the mix and is pretty dominating. The music is a mix of opera, classical music, baroque and folk music. The spirit of Edit Piaf can also be found in the mix. The instrumentation is tangents, electric guitars and flutes. The music is in general overstated and very much in your face. This is French theatrical symphonic prog rock.

This is by no means a criticism of this album or this brand of symphonic prog. I quite like the French adaptation of what the guys in Genesis, Yes and Camel did on the other side of the British Channel. Some would even call this an improvement. Well, some may say. The quality of the material on this album is great throughout. Songs like La Peste, the title track and Lena has some great melody lines. The deliverance is excellent although I am not too fond of the vocals being too much in the front of the mix. But in the case of this album, it is a good thing.

I think this is a great album and a good introduction to Atoll, Mona Lisa and Ange's brand of symphonic prog. The art work is excellent too and gives this album an extra attraction. But please give this album some time. This album will slowly, but surely creeps upon you. It did that with me. Hence, it comes with my recommondation.

4 stars

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