LA VIEILLE QUE L'ON BRÛLA

This fully anonymous band from France plays some symphonic folk music which is rather pleasant to listen to. There are a myriad of musicians featured on this album. Most play rare instruments like spinet, crumhorns, rototoms (sometimes used by Brufford and Mason for instance), accoridon, triangle...

The voice of the lead vocalist sounds a bit flat. As the "concept" of this album. Once in a while (but not really much, to be honest) you will miss something if you do not master the French language; like when you listen to "La Veuve De Nicolas Kremer" for instance. The recitation and the music might sound dull in the beginning but the lyrics are rather "spicy". It's about a widow who is having sex at night, even with ... animals. The crazy Descamps lyrics from "Ange" are not far away. A very intrigant song.

"Le Sabbat Des Sorcières" features some great instrumental parts, but frankly, these vocals are rather absurd. Fortunately, this album is mostly instrumental, because I have exactly the same feeling when I listen to "Les Loups". These vocals are just boring. The title track will be spared, fortunately. This time, we'll finally get expressive vocals. I only had wished to get more of these. Just to reach the high level of the instrumental parts during this album.

The main influence for "Ripaille" is definitely Gentle Giant as far as the vocals are concerned. So, if this band belongs to your favourite ones, this album is something you need to discover. I will rate this album with three stars thanks to the music (although that I'm not frankly impressed with the accordion of the closing number...).

I will have the same feeling during the three bonus tracks. Each features some great musical parts but they are also combined by ultra-theatrical vocals ("Gratis, Et En Plein Air" is the best exemple). The problem is that the lyrics are far from being either interesting, irreverrent or even funny (although "Les Chameaux" holds these three aspects). Intellectual, maybe. Or is it verbal masturbation ?

Three stars.