VOL. 333

An early 70's prog outfit from French Quebec - Canada, who wore Togas, funny hats and had a weird obsession with the letter 'O' and the number '3'. Producers of a 333 page book with 33 illustrations that acted as a kind of C.V. That, and references to Karl Jung's 'Synchronicity' will leave you in no doubt that you'll be in for a bit of a rollercoaster ride.

Raôul Duguay isn't the best vocalist you'll ever hear but at least he sings in French, lending an air of authenticity to the music. He does however, sound like he's downed 3 bottles of wine before picking up the microphone...

This is a wacky, unpredictable sprawling double album consisting of no less than twelve musicians. '333' sounds quite Zappa-like minus the smut in many parts. The recording quality itself is nothing special sounding a bit tinny throughout. Some parts degenerate into 'Musique Concréte' territory in what can only be described as someone dismantling a bicycle whilst tuning a shortwave radio. Even Beethoven makes an appearance amongst squealing guitars and crazy percussion.

A real mixed bag and one that I'm still not sure about after 6 years of occasional listening. This is controlled chaos where you can tell it's partly scored and partly jammed. There's a strange sense of timing and quick jump cuts throughout which leaves me a little bewildered, but I guess that's half the charm. Although hearing a piccolo being played cheered me up no end.

Disc 2 is easier on the ears but is less conventional, beginning with a 20 minute take on Bach's "Concerto in D Minor' which is played with precision but without any emotion at all. Really odd and confusing, especially during the last five minutes where there's screaming and shouting during what sounds like a dirty striptease act.

Never boring, sometimes inspired and at others too tuneless and directionless to be of much interest..

A difficult, decadent yet ambitious album that will have more haters than lovers.