LE CIMETIÈRE DES ARLEQUINS

'Le Cimetière des Arlequins' is one of my fave Ange albums, and may be considered as a perfect sample of their prog style delivered at its top level of energy and expressiveness. While not being an ensamble of top-notch virtuosos, the group works really well as an ensamble, performing both their hard-edged compositions and their softer acoustic ones with the same conviction. I particularly enjoy Brezovar's guitar playing (also doubling occasionally on flute in order to enhance the ensamble's instrumental picture) and Jelsh's tight drumming, though the most impressive thing is Christian Decamps' theatrical singing, which comprises recitations, whisperes, exclamations, and of course, also mere singing: Christian is actually the link between the anglosaxon prog influence and the nouveau chanson tradition. The keyboard parts are mostly played on organ and mellotron, serving mainly as massive ambiences for the most climatic passages: both Decamps brothers create these ambiences, sometimes in an etheral manner, some other times punctuating a gloomy, sinister mood. The opening track is one of the most popular tunes of their whole repertoire, though it was originally penned by Jacques Brel. Right from this point you can tell how important are the influences of early King Crimson, 70-72 Genesis, and The Moody Blues for Ange. The same attitude goes on with track 2 and the two 'Bivouac' tracks, the latter including a bit of fusionesque stuff. In the middle of these two numbers, 'L'Espionne Lesbienne' delivers some burlesque fun under a pastoral guise, in a perfect interplay of acoustic guitars, flute, some slide guitar picks, and occasional drumming - effective, without being bombastic. 'De Temps en Temps' brings us back the spirit of the first track, while 'La Route aux Cyprès' displays an air of reflective melancholy: once again, the acoustic guitars and the flute lines bring to mind visions of an evening spent lying on the grass of a forest. The closing title track is the real gem of this album: a stunning piece of work that depicts what I like to think is a surreal world of puppets. The limbo-esque ambience is disturbing (thanks to the sombre textures delivered on organ and mellotron), specially in the crescendo created by the increasingly hysterical last sung part; right afterwards, there's still a horrific mechanic-like sequence that culminates the creepy, dark picture with oppressive grandeur. This album signifies the announcement of more good things to come from Ange.

Ange's second album was released in 73 on the Phillips label, but apparently, the label didn't invest much money in the group's recording sessions and the album sounds muffled in places and downright catastrophically bad in others (at least on the first Cd reissue). With a wild artwork, Ange's unchanged line-up recorded seven mostly shorter songs (even if three tracks combine into an 11-mins mini-suite), and the closer being an almost 9 minutes title traxck. .

This starts with Jacques Brel's Ces Gens-Là, which is one of the best covers of any Brel cover song done prog or not (bar Bowie's version of Amsterdam) as they really understood how to put this in rock instrumentation, even if it isn't perfect. This will be their first hit but one thing is clear, the original Brel song was better produced than this obscure prog record. Another proof of poor production is the Ajourdhuis tracks, which sounds completely muffled. Other stand-out tracks are Espionne-Lesbienne sandwiched between the two Bivouac pieces, which forms an 11-mins suite, with the central piece being a corrosive text. The flipside starts on an average electric De Temps En Temps and follows it on an acoustic Route Des Cyprès and closing the album, last but not least, the title track. Indeed thismini-epic is the main reason to believe that Ange progressed from Caricatures and here the demented sombre track offers plenty of doom and sterangeitude.

As far as I am concerned, this is their best album, along with the debut, a fact that most Ange addicts will dispute me with Délire and Jacotey. I suggest that newcomers to Ange start with this one, being slightly less aggressive (in a good Ange way) as to not scare them away with the more bizarre debut Caricatures and then move on chronologically. If you can find a remastered version of these early Ange albums it might be a good idea.

Here is Ange their second effort, a year after their debut LP "Caricatures" in the same five- piece line-up.

1. Ces Gens-Là (4:47) : This is a cover from the famous Belgian singer Jacques Brel, his emotional approach must have appealed to Christian Decamps ! The atmosphere is bluesy with strong and expressive vocals, wonderful mellow organ waves and fiery electric guitar work.

2. Aujourd'hui c'est la Fête chez l'Apprenti-Sorcier (3:25) : This a short but varied (dreamy, catch, bombastic) song, tasteful coloured by the organ and theatrical French vocals.

3. Bivouac - 1ère partie (5:32) : A typical Ange song delivering lots of dynamics and a psychedelic undertone, the word "Bivouac" is sung as "Hallelujah". Halfway the sound of the organ, electric rhythm guitar and drums is almost hypnotizing, including a great distorted organ/wah-wah guitar duel.

4. L'Espionne Lesbienne (2:52) : A bit strange track with acoustic guitar, flute and funny vocals.

5. Bivouac Final (3:02) : A compelling climate featuring a propulsive rhythm-section and a sensational, distorted organ and electric guitar (wah-wah) sound.

6. De Temps en Temps (4:08) : This song has a slow rhythm with lush organ and strong and varied vocals (theatrical, warm, dramatic), halfway there is a short but fiery and biting electric guitar solo.

7. La Route aux Cyprès (3:18) : This is a beautiful, romantic sounding piece with warm vocals and pleasant acoustic guitar and flute.

8. Le Cimetière des Arlequins (8:46) : The first part of this long titletrack sounds a bit subdued but halfway gradually the atmospere becomes more 'bombastic psychedelic' featuring a compelling organ sound and theatrical vocals. The final part contains weird sounds.

A good album with lots of fine momens but also some less captivating parts, .. in my opinion.

"Le Cimetière Des Arlequins" was the second album released by France's ANGE and represents a wonderful piece of Franco prog rock. Arguably ANGE's most complete album, Le Cimetière houses all the Ange characteristics... mainly Christian Decamps theatrical singing-talking style and Francis Decamps organ and mellotron work. ANGE create a delicate and rich soundscape with some of their greatest progressive moments captures on this album. Musically ANGE reflect the sonic stylistics of early KING CRIMSON to the Genesis matermarked mellotron runs to the folk symphonia of Harmonium. "Bivouac - 1ère partie" is my personal favourite track and represents why I love this band. Fans of ANGE and French prog will need to get a hold of this album for sure... a masterpiece.

IMO, Ange's debut album was a great piece of music. Yet, almost unnoticed.

This second album opens with "Ces Gens Là". Yes, a prog version for one of the best song from Maître Jacques as we call him in my (and his) country. One has to dare. I must say that it is a good version of this great song. Who else than Ange could do such a job ? I guess that the absolute anti-clericalism from Jaques had to appeal them a lot. Ange will publish rather rude and irreverant lyrics against all the aspect of the religion. They won't miss an occasion to make a fool of the church in general. So was Maître Jacques as well.

Lyrics will again be absolutely weird and insane on this album. They are very ... special. And very difficult to grab if French is not your mother tongue. So, for once, I have this advantage. I am one of the few who belives though that their career would have reached another dimension, should they have chosen for English lyrics. They will do it for their album "Par Les Fils De Mandrin" which they will translate in English. I can imagine though that the spirit of their world was better expressed in French by Christian Décamps; a fabulous lyricist.

Another virulent aspect of their lyrics will be their sexual orientation. One might think that a simple track as "L'Espionne Lesbienne" is a gentle little song. The text is absolutely devastating. Talking about a lesbian (this is a temptative translation effort) : "You are the cyprin, which lubrifies the catacombs. An hemoglobin fuse, which will make the bomb quiver". (FYI, cyprin is the liquid generated by the vagina when excited. What a programme! But the whole of these 2'50" are on par. Demoniac. We are very far from what one might think a sweet little song.

"La Route Aux Cyprès" is another little tune one might think. Very much Trespassesque. It features extremely sad and pessimistic lyrics about the death and the last trip :

"Je sens que les amis sont au bout du chemin, Ils me disent que je tiens le ciel entre leurs mains. Mais mes doigts de malade craquent aux confins du vieux, J'ai senti la barrière d'où l'on voit de ses yeux"

"I can feel that my friends are at the end of the path, they are telling me that I hold the sky between their hands. But my sick fingers are cracking on the boundaries of oldness, I felt the barrier from which you can see from within one's own eyes".

These text are very, very dark. On par with some Van Der Graaf songs ("Necromancer"). Depressing.

Both "Bivouac" numbers have a very scary atmosphere. Like the opener and the closing number from their debut album, this one hold the Crimson heritage.

The general mood of this second album is less symphonic in comparison with their first one. Less instrumental passages here. Rather tranquil , but scary album actually. A bit the same atmosphere than on "Islands" from KC. This one lacks in bombastic moments.

Only the title track will be on par with their debut (I'm talking here about their own songs since their cover was quite good). Which such a title, is it necessary to mention that the lyrics are as dark as coal ? Very weird : priests, bigots, blood and death are on the programme !

The finale almost sounds as "Night On A Bald Mountain". Very scary. Do not listen to this one when you're alone at night. Gosh ! This is exactly what I'm doing for this review !

IMO, the most appealing aspect of this album resides in the lyrics, not in the music (their first album featured both aspects). It must be very difficult to get into it if your French is not outstanding (they are almost impossible to understand if your are not a native French-speaker). I really love their first album, so this one is a bit of a disillusion. This album is much darker than their previous one which was more anti-clerical and funny. I will add one star for the lyrics to the three stars this album really deserves.

Four stars then.

What an improvement from Ange´s debut Caricatures. This is great symphonic prog rock. Don´t be afraid to try this one out even though the lyrics are in French. If you don´t understand French like me, this will probably never be a masterpiece album, as I feel some emotions get lost when you don´t understand the language but it comes damn close in my book as the music is excellent.

The sound quality is kind of murky but I think it adds to the atmosphere of Le Cimetière des Arlequins. For once a technicaly weak production is something the music profits from.

The music is very Peter Gabriel era Genesis inspired, but don´t take Ange for a clone band they definitely have their own style. Lead singer Christian Decamps is a very expressive vocalist. He talk/ sings a lot using different voices and moods. I really wish I could understand what he is singing about. There are lots of Mellotron in the songs which is something I really love. Especially the very atmospheric way it´s played here.

The musicians are competent and there are no weak links.

Note the very beautiful cover art, it´s very unique.

This album has been a real surprise to me as I wasn´t too impressed with Ange´s debut Caricatures which I found good but a bit mediocre. Le Cimetière des Arlequins is in the same vein but much better. 4 stars for this excellent second album almost isn´t enough. I can´t wait to hear more. ( Maybe I should take courses in French).

01. Ces Gens-Là

That is a smart guitar! Slow and very different. The bass pretty at our face (Daniel Haas) and the guitar of Jean-Michel Brezova is lost in its sounds. The voice of Christian Decamps is very interesting, and I never thought that french could be interesting. A very emotional, interpretive vocal. The mid session begins wonderfully and shortly thereafter modulates the tone for the solo and the drums from Jelsh Gérard are quite good.

02. Aujourd'Hui C'est La Fête Chez L'Apprenti-Sorcier

From the beginning remains only a wisp of sound, close to the 2nd minute of music comes a few very good fingered parts, the keyboard and background vocals are whispered.

03. Bivouac - 1ère Partie

Almost a commemorative song. Beautiful vocal performance, and a merry band (at least for a few seconds). From now on one sound dominates, the one I call 'infinitum' saound, you know those riffs that are repeated without tiring? So! Meanwhile guitar and keyboard fills with solos.

04. L'Espionne Lesbienne

What a cool guitar, vocals even more so, fast and confusing phrases. Flutes and effects, but the best is the main theme with its guitars and with duplicate vocals from Francis Decamps.

05. Bivouac Final

An instrumental with variable proportions, full of sounds and peculiarities, a continuation of tracks 3 and 4.

06. De Temps En Temps

A slow, hypnotic groove, with vocals sung in a way that, it isn't strange, but different. In fact a delicious sound, almost devastating. The best of the album for me. It has a cute and catchy chorus.

07. La Route Aux Cyprès

Again the guitar rules, and that's great. The folk part is excellent. The guitar gives some sample sounds here and there. Vocals and emotion. A guitar more 'agitated' at the end and 'that's all folks! "

08. Le Cimetière Des Harlequins

The song that named the album is symphonic, a little space. With a good bass line and great vocals, wich by the way, are the strong points in this album. From now on half the song collapses, is a haunting, scary, speed increases, the representative of the sentiments expressed in madness lost in musical notes. When you regain the 'conscience' is not yet too late for them to gain the listener again (laughs), and do so.

In fact 3.5

Ange's follow up for Caricatures sees them sticking to the same dramatic and gloomy sound, half of it created by murky production values and the other half by too much mellotron. No, sorry, that's not possible, there's no such thing as too much mellotron!

The album starts with the Jacques Brel cover Ces Gens Là, an appropriate choice given the influence of that Belgian 'chansonnier' on their music. Ange sounds as a marriage between King Crimson's early albums and French chanson, very epic and theatrical, executed by excellent musicianship and the most passionate vocals since Peter Hammill.

Next on is my favorite track Aujourd'hui c'est la fête, short and rocking, swift and dynamic, or how to be prog in 3 minute 30 seconds. The following couple of songs is meant to form some kind of unity but it's a bit amateurish, basically they're fading out Bivouac, then doing a short ballad and ending by fading in the remainder of Bivouac. Luckily the songs are just fine.

De Temps en Temps is probably one of their best known songs, it sounds like another Jacques Brel cover. Not bad but a bit predictable maybe. The short and intimate Route au Cyprès is better, it's just an acoustic pop song really but a very beautiful one. The album ends with the powerful and dramatic Cimetière des Arlequins, the longest and best composition on the album.

I have a personal preference for the debut which rocked harder and had the better songs, but you could as easily argue that this album is a bit more varied and mature. Regardless of personal preference, both albums are excellent symphonic prog. If you love In the Court of the Crimson King, early VDGG and Genesis you shouldn't hesitate.

Sometimes you just don't get it. Other times you simply dislike it. For this writer, the experience of hearing landmark French band Ange's second release was somewhere in between. And though it could be said that the murky production adds character to the recording, that atmosphere will only be appreciated if an equal appreciation is had for the music. The word "theatrical" is frequently used to describe Christian and Francis Decamps' legendary sound and it is a fitting M.O., in fact there are times on Le Cimetiere des Arlequins that are more theater than anything else, certainly than rock music. And perhaps that's where I part with the generally enthusiastic write-ups the album receives. Theatricality is one thing, actual theater is something else, and I can only assume it is the dervish-like yelling and ponderous moaning of Christian Decamps that distracts from my enjoyment of an otherwise interesting symphonic album. That and the distant, bassy mix aren't the only issues, either: the songs seem to drag on a bit when the material should either tighten up or fly out into space completely. Instead, the capable 5-piece often walk the fence between inventive Prog and trance-induced operetta, neither method quite honed enough to completely satisfy, the result being closer to the sound of five friends and copious amounts of marijuana having a thoroughly good time in a rented studio. And as a listener, "You had to be there" is undoubtedly high praise.

That's not to say there are no good moments here, though the fumbling 'Ces Gens-la' is not one of them save an angular keyboard bridge and reasonably strong finale. More focused and energized is 'Aujourd'hui c'est la Fête chez l'Apprenti-Sorcier' as it wanders through Christian's whispers, Nice-like 'Bivouac-1ère partie' is weird, features Decamps' tetched oration and some good jazzrock passages, and Daniel Haas's nylon string guitar carries pretty L'espionne Lesbienne' with its ersatz Brazilian undercurrents. Driving rock in 'Bivouac Final', nauseating pap of 'De Temps en Temps', bucolic 'La Route aux Cypres', and some off-key cabaret with Decamps' nails-on-a-chalkboard vocals killing the title cut.

Disappointing to be sure but not a deal breaker for these guys, and I suspect they were capable of far better. A regrettable two stars.

Ange's second album is a somewhat strange one. There are some genuinely good moments, but there's just so much I can't get into. I don't really care for the lead vocalist, and not just because he's singing in a language I don't understand. The man is all over the place- whispering, shouting, singing, bellowing. Another thing is that pretty much none of the songs end well- it's like Ange is unskilled at ending a piece of music. With the exception of a couple of short songs, I don't really enjoy this album.

"Ces Gens-Là" Immediate guitar bends open the album. Low French singing builds over a simple bass riff. The vocals sound very angry (to include slurping), which is juxtaposed with happy, almost ludicrous instrumental bits.

"Aujourd'hui c'est la Fête chez l'Apprenti-Sorcier" Fuzzy chords dominate this piece, but it does have a sweet middle section with whistling synthesizer and soft guitar.

"Bivouac - 1ère partie" The refrain to this generally gentle piece is downright goofy- I have no other word that fits better. It's flamboyancy reminds me of Queen. The middle passage is very low and dark, with gritty guitar and menacing keyboard work. The music fades out.

"L'Espionne Lesbienne" This is an acoustic piece with odd vocal harmonies. I wonder why the singer is laughing. It's a very strange song to me. As an aside, I believe the title translates to "The Lesbian Spy," but that's based on cognates.

"Bivouac Final" The music that ended the track before last fades back in. After a bit of jamming, the keyboards descend in a haunted house display of unpleasantness.

"De Temps en Temps" I rather like this piece, particularly the chord progression and how the bass works with it. The vocals are more reserved and sound very good alongside everything. As icing on the cake, there's a wonderful guitar solo toward the end. The noise at the end is terrible though.

"La Route aux Cyprès" Sweet synthesizer and acoustic guitar brings in the singing, and wow, this almost sounds like Echolyn- the singer actually sounds like Ray Weston! Even the harmonies are beautiful.

"Le Cimetière des Arlequins" After a soft theme to introduce the longest song, the singer does his thing over a descending bass line and distant keyboard. There's some strange vocal doubling and some theatrics; the former is interesting while the latter is a bit silly. Speaking of the latter, there's shrieking, shouting, and laughing, all over a rising tempo, none of which moves me. Dark symphonic music, dominated by percussion, turns into a strange incursion into electronic territory- very weird.

Ange are one of the most well known prog bands from France. They sometimes get compared to Genesis. However, on their first two albums anyway, I hear more of a Crimson and VDGG infuence. This is the band's second album. The vocals of Christian Decamps are dramatic and theatrical and can be compared to Gabriel and Hammill. Lyrics in French. Lots of modified organ work here.

"Ces Gens-La" is a cover of Belgian singer Jacques Brel. I am not too familar with him or his music, but the version here sounds like the band wrote it. Definately does not sound too out of place on this album. "Aujourd'hui c'est la Fete chez l'Apprenti-Sorcier" has distorted/fuzz bass. Good drumming. This song has a nice mellow middle section. The first part of "Bivouac" has the band singing what sounds like "Ewok for you". The better of the two parts. It ends with an organ solo as the song fades out. The second part fades back in with the continuation of the organ solo. The second part is entirely instrumental.

I think it would have been better if both parts of "Bivouac" were one piece. In between we get a folk song about lesbians called "L'espionne Lesbienne". This song has some good acoustic guitar and fast vocals. "De Temps en Temps" has good singing and organ work. After 2 minutes it gets better. Nice bluesy guitar solo. At the very end the tape speeds up. "La Route aux Cypres" is basically vocals and acoustic guitar with some organ. Sound of flute can be heard. I can't tell if it is a real flute or if that part is done on a Mellotron.

The title track is the best song here and can be listened to on PA. Good drumming and vocals in the whole song. The organ and/or Mellotron playing is great. It's the longest song and has the most changes. Before 7 minutes there is an interesting organ sound. I love the way it ends with weird noises that get looped. This album is great Symphonic Prog. If you don't mind theatrical French vocals, this may be for you. Whether it be Ange or Magma or Etron Fou Leloublan, the French like the vocals to grab your attention. My interest in these guys starts to dwindle after this album. 4 stars.

Ange's second album adds a bit more circus music to the pastoral prog model of their debut - not surprising, given the Harlequin theme of the album. Unfortunately, the clowns don't change the fact that the band simply hadn't moved on a lot from their debut. They apparently got to appear at the Reading Festival at around this time as the support act for Genesis, which I think is about right; they're adept enough at mimicing their heroes, but they're not quite good enough to *challenge* their heroes, which is what they really needed to be aiming for at this point of their career. With unmemorable compositions and performances, I can't say I consider this a particularly vital Ange album.

No need for virtuoso playing!!

Ange are the masters of atmosphere , and it seems they do it so easily too. they capture you with their slow airy organ , most of the time played with a vibrato giving the music an out of tune feeling , awsome stuff. in addition to those keys , they incorporate their signature passionate intriguing vocals , it always fascinates me to know what are they talking about , i guess it's their attitude and approach . i like that every europian band has that something relating them to their country , except the vocals of course , and ange is no different , it all sounds very french to me , and is a refreshing change from all english bands , although still reminds me of king crimson at times.

the music is never heavy but always symphonic , closer to classical music than jazz., there are no virtuosic runs by any of the band , but apart from the amazing atmosphere they create together , the solos are short and very good. vocals are amazing even for you who does not understand a single word ( like me ) , they take you right away and you feel like a story is being told , i'm sure it is!! they range from whispering to quiet to passionate and to screaming , top that with some laughs , noises , and shouts making the story even more realistic , absolutely fantastic. although containing short tracks ange is progressive and interesting adopting some instant change of music , heading towards something completely different. keys has that distinct ange sound and are always very good whether if they are atmospheric and whether if they are playing solos or other fillers , which increases the atmosphere level even more . guitar varies from distorted to clean and acoustic , and although there are no steve howe guitar parts , the guitar is always perfect . a good example for this is the album's opener solo which gives me goose bumps every time i hear it , so right. also to good mention is the clean guitar on L'Espionne Lesbienne , so good. as interesting as the songs are some time i wish they would develop them more , making them a little bit longer instead of cutting them in the middle of a good run. what made them split 'bivouac' to two parts and putting L'Espionne Lesbienne in between is beyond me , i think this is my only complaint about this album.

If you would like to explore some french prog , or seeking some dreamy , rocky, theatrical and progressive music , ange is a good place to start with , and this album too , although their next is even better. it may take a little while to fully comprehend but it's totally worth it. i would call it essential to french prog lovers. the accurate rating for me is a little bit above 4 stars.

The good times for Ange started soon after the release of their debut.The band crossed the English Channel in 1973 for a tour on the British grounds and with the support of their label Phillips they released the same year their sophomore album ''Le cimetiere des arlequins''.

Surprisingly the album opens with a cover of Jacques Brel's ''"Ces gens-la", a naturally theatrical song and a perfect choice for Ange's repertoire, adapted nicely by the band in a Theatrical Prog style.The rest of the album shows hints already known from Ange's debut, a Symphonic/Psychedelic Rock with intense keyboard passages played by the Decamps' brothers and the expressive vocals of Christian Decamps on the forefront.The production remains very muddy, adding the album an overall haunting atmosphere even in its more romantic moment.Compositionally the album stands well next to the band's debut, but it is a bit more vocal-heavy with limited instrumental themes and an even more theatrical approach.The music though is quite charming with psychedelic guitars, folky acoustic moments, including some flute passages and powerful bass work.The dark keyboard parts will always remain Ange's trademark.Grandiose interludes and beautiful organ breaks are offered with generosity and add the album this unique symphonic flavor that only Ange could create.

Not as good as their debut but of course another succesful Ange album.Dark, lyrical and deeply atmospheric Symphonic Rock for dedicated fans of the style.Recommended.

One of France's three main progressive rock outfits alongside Christian Vander's zeuhl exponents Magma and the Pink Floyd-styled Pulsar, Ange have enjoyed a long and varied career sinde starting up at the beginning of the 1970's, enjoying both national and international commercial success. Unusually for a French-speaking rock group, Ange regularly toured outside of their homeland during their peak years, visiting Germany, Belgium, Scandanavia and Britain on numerous occasions during the 1970's; as a result the name Ange is now synonymous with French progressive music, the group often rather lazily compared with Genesis thanks to their keyboard-heavy sound. One of the group's 'classic' releases alongside 1974's follow-up 'Au Dela Du Delire' and the mellotron- drenched 'Guet-apens' from 1978, 'Le Cimetiere Des Arlequins' was the album that truly broke Ange, introducing them to a wider audience thanks to a deal brokered with the French arm of Phillips and the album's distinct and jaunty musical flavour. Crucially, it would prove to be a remarkable improvement after the group's interesting yet underwhelming debut 'Caricatures', whilst also showcasing the five individual musicians rapidly- growing instrumental chops, with the incessant Gallic chatter of lead-vocalist Christian Decamps now underpinned by some intricate technical displays and richly-drawn melodies. Like many of the better progressive rock albums, this is best listened to from beginning-to-end, though individual tracks do stand-out, such as the forceful opener 'Ces Gens La', which features both Ange's trademark keyboard stabs and Descamps eccentric vocal style, and the haunting, almost gothic strains of follow-up 'Aujourd'hui C'est La Fete Chez L'apprenti Sorcier', which drifts effortlessly from ominous symphonic rock into serene acoustica rather beautifully. Elsewhere, the bouncy 'Bivouac' exhibits the group's more playful side, whilst the album's lengthiest piece, the eight-minute title-track, closes the album in suitably grand fashion. Like much European progressive rock there is an arty and complex edge to Ange's music, though the pompous seriousness that can blight such material is thankfully absent here, Ange very much a group with a sense of humour that is apparent even to those who don't fully understand the French language. A fine album, 'Le Cimetiere Des Arlequins' isn't quite as impressive as follow-up 'Au Dela Du Delire', yet there is still much here that should please fans of both symphonic and European progressive rock. Inventive, eccentric and occasionally wildly adventurous, this is one of Ange's genuinely essential records. STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012

Tales of poetic dreams and strange nightmares

3.5 stars

Second studio album by the French proggers, "Le Cimetière Des Arlequins" was the first ANGE album I listened to and still remains my favorite today. Why? Maybe because of its overall particular hazy and mystical atmosphere the music delivers through fantasy, haunting and mysterious ambiances. This impression is mainly due to the predominance of the band's unique spacey mellotron-like sonority, created by Francis Décamps by reverberating a Viscount organ through a Hammond organ. More modern than its predecessor, the disc was very innovative and exciting for 1973 - especially considering the French rather radio-friendly musical landscape at the time - but sounds quite dated nowadays.

ANGE is often referred as the French GENESIS, but is this really the case? I can understand this comparison, as there were not many known symphonic prog bands in France in the 70's, however I do not find it entirely right. If you're a newcomer, a better description of the Décamps brothers and co.'s compositions would be something like 'chanson française-meets-medieval-meets-space-and-symphonic-rock', with more emphasis on eerie keyboards and theatricality than on virtuoso guitars and breathtaking passages. Furthermore, the tracks are shorter, with more conventional durations. The important word is: atmosphere.

The record opens with the surprising spacey cover of the famous Jacques Brel's song "Ces gens-là". Nice and original, ANGE chose not to include the "Frida" section, whose glorious and positive tone and lyrics contrast with the rest of the track. Once again, the band prefers to focus on satire. "Ces gens-là" will be released as a single and will be their first success, making them famous in France. Supported by the flute and somber organs, the medieval "Aujourd'hui c'est la fête chez l'apprenti sorcier" possesses an unusual progression. Alternating calm and even heavy guitar riffing passages, this composition is really good. Despite its repetitive and irritative beginning, the mysterious and haunting "Bivouac Première Partie" is quite pleasant, with a unexpected acceleration. On the contrary, "L'espionne lesbienne" is easily the weakest song of the disc. A boring sexual delirium.

As its title suggests, "Bivouac Final" begins where "Bivouac Première Partie" ended. A powerful and somber kind of space rock. Then comes one of the few moments with a hopeful tone in this album, "De temps en temps". This lighter composition is pretty, but its ending is completely out of place. Inspired by Van Gogh's painting "Road with Cypress and Star", "La route aux cyprès" is an acoustic pause, where Christian Decamps and Daniel Haas plays a relaxing peaceful tune. Longest song of the record, the 9 minutes title track is also the darkest and features various ambiances: a little eccentric, gloomy and even scary as hell! Enjoyable although a bit uneven.

With "Le Cimetière Des Arlequins", ANGE defines its own style and identity: a magical elixir of medieval, spacey, spooky and symphonic progressive poetry, with slight heavy touches. Fairytale organs and some guitar riffs create a somber and mysterious atmosphere serving a theatrical singing. This second opus from the Frenchs may well be their most sinister and spaciest offering, and therefore possesses its own particular charm.

For all these reasons, "Le Cimetière Des Arlequins" is my personal favorite from the Décamps brothers and co., as well as the only ANGE studio album I really appreciate. Check it out if enjoy symphonic prog, space rock and haunting hazy musical tales...

Do consider one of French leaders in symphonic progressive rock world ANGE would have established their musical originality with bizarre psychedelic wall of sound. I've listened to all of ANGE's albums in Phillips era, and clearly noticed their second studio creation was kinda development and simultaneously another portfolio (amazingly this was my first ANGE's album oh great). This sound approach that would never be listened to since then reminds me of Phil Spector's "Wall Of Sound" and The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds related to the method. And the soundscape can be understood as a mixture of such a psychedelic drone, bizarre artistry, and sorta French narcissism ... the eerie, exaggerated sleeve art (by Jacques WYRS) would mention all of this album.

Just from the beginning of the first shot "Ces Gens-L'" we can get impressed with heavy percussion, deep mellotron, and theatrical voices. Their play in this album is not so skillful nor technical as upon their following creations, let me say, but unique sound innovation should be considered as a fantasy. It's quite amazing and interesting for us to imagine that such a fanatic fantasy be generated mainly by D'camps brothers (especially Christian's voices and Francis mellotron). And above mentioned, G'rard's percussion or drumming reminds us of massively echoic Hal Blaine's world. Apparently his drumming in one of ANGE's early pop masterpieces "De Temps En Temps" must be inspired by Hal and Phil. The last titled track is exactly a rock kaleidoscope, with mysterious phrases, weird keys, and mischievous moments.

From the beginning to the end, we cannot escape out the dreamy, and a tad sarcastic space. Have not experienced (and will not experience) this identified, innovative creativity.