L'ARBRE-CIMETIÈRE

Maldoror is often referred to as a French symphonic rock band in a style similar to Ange. While this is true for the affected way of singing and the rocking organ sound, I can't see the comparison in terms of songwriting or quality.

The musicianship and instrumental parts are fairly good but due to a lack of memorable hooks and true creative spirit the album never plays in the same league as Ange. Not only is the instrumental material rather generic, the actual songwriting, when stripped from their symphonic arrangements, never reaches above French chanson-rock clichés. The epic vision, the darkness and emotional impact of Ange might be suggested in the nice opening instrumental, but is largely absent from the remainder of the album.

A lot of people really love this album, and since this sure isn't a 'hyped' band, the other reviewers can't all be wrong. But this type of prog, based on French chanson and accessible melodic pop is a bit too docile and formulaic for me. For fans of French chanson in a prog-rock context (Harmonium and such)