CHRISTIAN DÉCAMPS & FILS: TROISIÈME ÉTOILE A GAUCHE

Christian Decamps is one of the leading figures in prog rock history not only in France but I like to think that in Europe in general. He is the founding member of legendary Ange in 1970 and since then the band was a houshold in prog rock realm, specially in the glorious '70. In 1979 he got first album under Cristian Decamps et fils moniker working together with his son Tristan on next releases, a duo that in the end was very valueble keeping in mind that under this name he realse some respected albums over the years. One of the better albums if not the best release under this name is for sure Troisieme etoile a gaughe, issued in 1997 at Musea records. I must confess I was very very pleasent surprised about the music offered, unexpected great, fresh and full of great ideas. Besides Christian on vocals, his son Tristan on keyboards, the guitarist Hassan Hajdi done a fantastic job here, really great chops , solos and guitar noodlings like on Quasimodo, Op'ra Cosmique clocking around 12 min a pure pleasure, like all pieces. Similarities with Ange only here and there, even in vocal department there is not so present that theatrical atmosphere, this time the arrangements are precise, inventive and catchy. I really like this album, in places the music can rival easely with best of Ange. Recommended, for fans who like eclectic prog with symphonic touches. Underated release in my opinion. 4 stars for sure.

1. A Capella, that's all, but really very soft, latent 2. Narcisse arrives, 80% of the future ANGEL is already there at work; Christian plays ANGEL, yes all that to reassure the imbiber; a heavy tune, a foreshadowing chorus... What's left of you? and a fresh final decline with a little solo from a new guitarist, time to launch 3. Le Vieux Sous Son Tilleul with a very fat, captivating, hypnotic sound; well the voice is mischievous, the puns are still there; a little ditty that sets the tone, I would say better than ANGEL, paradoxical 4. Entre Jeux follows, a title linked to a delightful prog interlude, a guitar that wants to be spleen, a progressive moment that will reassure the fans; yes no need for words Hassan speaks with his fingers and it's delicate 5. When a Bird Dies... continues, a capella typed on a keyboard pad, Christian plays with the cenobite and the fleeting air like the flight of a bird 6. The Piranhas continues with Thierry who vibrates the air; the title suddenly takes off like the piranha that can clean your skin between your toes, see more; a caramel, in the ass, a feather, ah yes memory of the 1st listening, phew ANGE is not dead, I'm going to get used to the new name, it's not bad at all; well it's dynamic, it's well focused on Christian's voice and that doesn't pose a question 7. Approximatif Univers - Included Aspirales continues, moment when you realize that you are in a concept universe, even if sodomizing this space is recommended to you; in short I feel like I'm hearing some THIEFAINE here, I'm rambling though; well it's approximate, hey a voice from the Orient, hey a written break, gently, a drum roll, a screaming guitar, a moment out of sidereal time, ah yes not bad at all this little Hassan, to follow closely, but I repeat myself

8. Opéra Cosmique with 3mn of prog intro as we no longer dreamed of from ANGE, and there bam it comes out; symphonic to the point, with blood flowing like from a roast beef; in short a nocturnal musical space and the orchestra which follows for the moment enjoyable; Troisième Etoile A Gauche arrives at 5mn yes, yes he says it himself; the more the pompous side, the less the grandiloquent side, but what a pleasure to find the soul of ANGE in this angelic title; 10 minutes and Margaret appears, a solemn synth, an inimitable voice, always one of the rare ones that I can listen to while stopping all activity; in short what more can I say when it's perfect, we write, we applaud

9. Quasimodo which will be played in concert quickly and which will find its place for the shameless air, and then and then the slap arrives with Tristan who plays his keyboards to show the future ANGEL, what a voice, what an organ, the drift, the solo that kills, in short the pleasure of finding the SOUND of this most famous group in the world to have gone unnoticed, yes we have to laugh about it, thank you Tristan 10. Les Nénuphars and it continues, the vocal that makes you say that it's done Christian has finally let his son fly on his land; a voice that changes, a bluesy solo that melts, ah yes Hassan will become the Hassan of the ANGE 2nd version, with his solos that make the group continue to keep the progressive imprint 11. Quatuor - Tout Ca N'Etait Qu'Un Rêve! follows, a delicate arpeggio and Tristan continues, after the comic opera we enter another album with a final Dantesque vocal flight that makes you shiver; well the titles start to follow one another but there is a response 12. Le Sexe Des Anges with the return of Christian in a jazzy bluesy mode; a country air, words above all, the keyboard, that of the nephew who has always been between the two brothers, ah the saxophone break of the 80s; the tone is fluid, when you think about it there is more prog blood in it than in the last albums of ANGE, musical paradox again; the piano is declined and would make you forget the outro which launches 13. Que Deviensnt Les Héros with Tristan 'again' letting his voice flirt between two scales, a guitar arpeggio which is played out, a Harlequin candy, a sweetness, just to get used to it? 14. Selon Socrate Et Corpernic - Inclus La Mer De Quartz returns to the sound of the beginning, fat, heavy... almost like in the asshole of the world; a rhythmic bass from hell, a synth which drips, like a suppository which would not want to enter; Christian's puns always hit the mark, but with time I expected a little more poetry, especially with his son next to him; well Tristan comes to add a little sweetness... And Hassan delights us with an anthology slow solo, he is good the guy; good phone call listen, it's for you... 15. Guess! Tristan on vocals and piano, guess who sells the powder; beer no it makes your belly swell, I saw it in the concerts of the imbibés; well the spleen guitar comes to mix in the party with Christian launching a legalization of Love, yes well we are in this totalitarian country that wants to manage everything precisely!! I digress, go listen to this piano note that makes us vibrate with pleasure at least 16. See you soon on life! with the angelic heavy madness, such that we no longer recognized it; the very fat sound on a 'Guet-Apens', a 'Vu d'un Chien', a 'Tout Feu Tout Flamme', in short a title that I would have loved to hear live, if anyone has any information? the angelic title with its little grains of prog scattered here and there, just to be savored in the back of the palate 17. Coda sic, with Tristan inaugurating the hope of hearing it quickly, the future will disprove us but hey that's how it is; a latent outro.