EMILE JACOTEY

By the time of their 4th album Ange had solidly carved their own niche of French chanson based symphonic prog. There are still faint echoes of the original influences from King Crimson and Genesis but those are far and few between. Ange had grown up.

Unfortunately the album itself is a bit uneven. It is supposed to be some kind of concept album but it doesn't convince entirely. Bêle Bêle Petite Chèvre is a nice rocking opener but Sur La Trace Des Fées is one of the few moments where they fully get to me again. It's an emotive ballad drenched in mellotron, it's both dark and ecstatic, dominated by Dechamps typical intense vocals. Hammill-haters, clear off!

As much as I love his singing, Dechamps leaves little room for the other musicians to find their own spot to shine on the album. Le Nain De Stanislas has a better balance, but the music still comes off a bit underdeveloped. Jour Après Jour is maybe a bit too sweet but still charming. Ode à Emile is rather forgettable. Nevertheless, if you like this one you urgently need to check out Jacques Brel and other exponents of French chanson.

Ego Et Deus is another one of the rocking tracks on this album. It's not bad but hardly a prog masterpiece. The remainder of the album is uninteresting. I'd say this is Ange's weakest 70's effort together with the ensuing Par Les Fils De Mandrin.