CARICATURES

A rather exuberant and silly album, "Caricatures" offers a glimpse of symphonic rock that's still tuned-in to fuzzy, unpolished psychedelia and bursts with personality. Some of the songs may surprise - often because of the inventiveness of the songs considering the album's early release year, and at others because of the sheer audacity of the lyrics. We're bookcased by murky, dark introductions, but the album is ultimately great fun!

"Tels Quels" is a jumpy, repetitious little number, full of uncosy timing and impatient singing - such a remarkable slice of musical and lyrical nonsense and greatly enjoyable. From that point onwards, the album gets much more lush and deep, treating us to songs with warm organ and acoustic guitar backbones. "Dignite" is a lengthy, melodic piece, sustained by positivity and is sung anthemically, reminding this reviewer of symphonic italian bands such as Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, although the song itself could be twinned with many by Genesis. "Le Soir du Diable" is all bardic twanging and the rumple of acoustic toms - perhaps overlong but with a sumptuous atmosphere.

As for the title track, well... it's pure theatre, opening with an impassioned monologue, smoothly introducing symphonic instrumentation which shortly combine to become an urgent force, uncannily as if recorded by evil, parallel-universe Yes. Once the pace settles, we're "treated" to rock'n'roll chords over which a rather silly and predictable organ solo surfs, but don't be disheartened - it appears to be part of the plan! Next comes a medieval military theme with pounding percussion, ushered on by the occasional electric motif, before a chaotic segment that hops between filmic urgency and swinging jazz-blues lead breaks... oh dear, I knew this would be impossible to describe. It's safe to say that this unique piece is telling a story by describing the backdrops in music; interpretation of the specifics still seems to be left up to the listener.

This is not an earth-shattering desert island disc by any means, and it sounds relatively dated now - but it's full of surprises and it's a great introduction to the world of Ange.