Ange ‎– Le Cimetière Des Arlequins (Philips)

Media VG+
Sleeve VG+

Format : K7
Cat N° : 7102 249
Style : Chanson, Prog Rock, Space Rock

In 1973, the year of the release of their second album, Ange found success on stage, especially in England at the Reading festival where Genesis triumphed. This is mentioned to better situate the album in the group’s career. Musically, Le Cimetière des Arlequins is the logical continuation of Caricatures. The sound is not the cleanest, and the mixing relies heavily on stereo effects. However, Ange has matured, and while their style remains theatrical and grandiloquent, the music is more refined. A masterful cover of Jacques Brel’s “Ces Gens-Là” opens the album, and while the last verse is omitted, it allows the song to better integrate into the group’s repertoire. The rest of the compositions are by the musicians and rely on Christian Décamps’ lyrics, showcasing the excessiveness of language and music discovered in Caricatures. The inspiration is still mystical, and titles like “Aujourd’hui c’est la fête…,” “Bivouac,” “De temps en temps,” and “Le Cimetière des Arlequins” are quintessential Ange, displaying their full mastery of progressive rock. Guitar and keyboard duels are omnipresent, and their rising power underscores Christian’s delirious vocals.