AVANT QU'IL NE SOIT TROP TARD

This album and MONA LISA's previous one are both classics as far as i'm concerned.The title of this album means "Before It's Too Late". Apparently the concerts in support of both of these albums were very elaborate and theatrical much like GENESIS were in the early days.

"Avant Qu'il Ne Soit Trop Tard" opens with the synths rolling in as some heaviness joins in rather quickly. Spoken words replace the heaviness then a beat arrives before 2 1/2 minutes as the spoken words get more theatrical. It's building here. "La Peste" is uptempo with synths, bass and drums but it settles back some quickly.Vocals before a minute. Check out the fast paced vocals and sound 2 minutes in that really remind me of MAGMA. Great sound ! They stop after 3 1/2 minutes as it slows back down then the vocals return. "Souvenirs De Naufrageurs" opens with atmosphere as spoken words join in.The flute replaces the words as the atmosphere continues. Piano after 2 minutes as the mood brightens some.Vocals join in as the tempo picks up. Guitar comes to the fore after 5 1/2 minutes.We even get some mellotron late on this one.

"Tripot" is uptempo with vocals.Guitar a minute in when the vocals stop but the vocals return quickly. "Lena" opens with acoustic guitar as reserved vocals join in. It does build some then it picks up after 2 minutes.The flute joins in when the vocals stop.Vocals are back 3 1/2 minutes in. It turns instrumental again.Some crazy laughter ends it. "Creature Sur La Steppe" is mellow to start in fact spacey might be the word. Reserved vocals with bass, gentle guitar and a beat take over. I like the melancholic synths that follow. It turns heavier after 3 minutes and the guitar joins in briefly.The vocals return as well. Spacey synths come in as it settles from before 6 minutes to the end.

Just a great album for Prog fans who don't mind a little theatrics here and there.