LES CATHÉDRALES DE L'INDUSTRIE

This album was actually intended as a solo album of Malicorne's singer Yacoub. For commercial reasons the record company decided to put the Malicorne tag on it. Well, it isn't too far-fetched. The music continues along the lines of the preceding Malicorne albums. Or should I say that it continues the downward spiral?

That would be a bit harsh. The album is decidedly better then the two preceding albums and the songs aren't bad at all. It's just that the difference with the Malicorne heyday of an album like Almanach is huge: the song writing doesn't go beyond French chanson here and the arrangements have lost the timeless charm that graced previous albums. The choice for drum computers fits the music awkwardly and adds a glossy quality that hasn't aged all that well.

Except for the poppy Le Temps the consistent song quality and the outstanding vocals save the album from oblivion. It's not a recommended album to discover Malicorne but it's a good album.