ARMES & CYCLES

If the team that had operated on Albert Marcoeur's first adventures had been drastically changed by his second album, he chose to keep roughly the same team (that still included his brothers Claude and Gerard) , but this time he changed the premises, opting for the famous Hérouville Studios and Laurent Thibault behind the console . Opting again for the same artiste for his sleeve artwork as he had for his first two, Armes & Cycles is in the direct continuation of his previous works but, here, he makes sure his musical adventures are more accessible to a wider public. As in the Colorier album, the tracks are kept rather short except for two longer (but mid-length) ones, including a n instrumental that reassures us that Albert is indeed capable of writing "normal music".

Indeed, right from the opening track Ici, and despite a difficult intro, once the track is ion, we get a good guitar-lead tune that opts for ultra nervous vocals, but on the whole the music is not too complex. Ditto with Emploi Du Temps including some normal solos, but the following Dame is not Albert's nicest idea, to say the least, despite a good instrumental ending and overall sound sonic foundation.(are you sure you're following me?) With the first instrumental Linge Sale (dirty laundry) serving a bit as an intro to Histoire d'Offrir and its piano line and the Kelzmer-influenced instrumental Ampoule Grillée doing as much for Reveil with almost Doo-wop vocals, A1C steers towards madness the no-return point at the turning of the disc.

There is an incredible moment halfway into Son Sac where the vocals go into canon-style delivery and the result is simply awesome (although you'd better understand French), and elsewhere the closing Bonjour Monsieur could've been written by Steve Hackett in his early solo effort (from Please to Defektor, but not on Mornings) and features two acoustic guitars, one with steel strings, the other with nylon strings. Interesting

A&C is an easier album to "get", mainly because the music is more evident (and accessorily more accessible) but don't get me wrong, this is not for every pair of ears, even for the ones frequenting our beloved site. Not as good as the debut album, but better than its sophomore effort , this is the third strike for Marcoeur, but he's scoring a run.

3.5 stars. "Armes & Cycles" is Albert Macouer's third studio album and probably my favourite. Released in 1979 I was surprised that he decided to record this at a different studio than his first two. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised when the studio in question is run by Laurent Thibault who recorded and mixed this album. And hey! Laurent's wife Jacqueline is playing organ on here! She also goes by the name Laurence Vanay and released two strong albums in the seventies.

Album number three from 1979 continues with the humour and style of the first two records, but this might be more accessible to my ears. It's not until that final track of side one though that I'm nodding in approval. I like the intricate sounds and harmonies on it as well as almost spoken words. A guitar solo before 2 minutes and a determined sound make this the first highlight for me on the album.

"Son Sac" might be the best though with the catchy sound and strummed guitar. Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes and some depth too, and that final 1 1/2 minutes is the best part of the album. And it's the longest song at almost 6 1/2 minutes. The closer would round out my top three. It's a nice sounding piece with contrasts. Beautiful guitar and relaxed vocals. Not very avant.

Albert is such a talented and uncompromising artist, but he sure isn't for everybody. For me this is his high water mark although I really like the one that follows this too. And I think it's funny that he's brought his two brothers back again and it seems like with each release they are given more responsibility(haha).