French Article - Part I
Mike Borella
French Progressive Part 1
The French progressive scene differs from the Italians in many
aspects, the most obvious one being culture. One of the things
that is interesting to note about this scene is that while there
was a noticable lag period in the output of progressive music
during the early-mid Eighties in Italy, this was not the case in
France. Most of you that are familiar with "Step Ahead" will
notice that some excellent music was produced around this time.
The first part of this multi parter (I assume around 4 again.) will
be focused on the rather well known bands and will gradually get
more obscure................
Where do I start? Italian prog is synonomous with PFM, for
the most part, yet the French scene had a few bands that gained
equality in notoriety. They for the most part were Ange, Atoll,
Pulsar, Magma, Heldon/Pinhas, and Art Zoyd.
ANGE created a form of music that will go down as one of the
most innovative in the progressive world. While constantly
compared to Genesis, Ange's music sounds a world apart and is
probably due to the heavy French sound that pervade's all of their
releases. Led by the charismatic Christian Decamps, Ange
immediately began to make music with an intense theatrical air -
one that probably accounts for the Genesis comparisons. Ange shows
were a theatre in themselves - in fact before one of Ange's tours,
Christian Decamps broke both heels while rehearsing a stunt for the
show. Ange were quite popular in France, their second LP, "La
Cimetiere Des Arlequins" (1973) actually reaching Gold Status.
Their music is definitely in the symphonic realm yet the
French element is much too noticable for comparisons to the English
bands of the same type. I find it too entrapping to narrow their
style down, it was mostly their own, but if you find heavy French
lyric too much to take, you may want to try something else. While
a heavy lyrical presence is felt in all their releases, they are
balanced quite nicely with excellent instrumental outbreaks,
especially notable is guitarist Jean-Michel Brezovar, who's solo on
"Exode" from their arguably best album "Au Dela Du Delire"(1974) is
quite emotional. Ange were definitely at their peak (like many 70s
prog bands) in the early to mid seventies, and their first seven
LPs are all highly recommended progressive releases. I'd start
with "Au Dela Du Delire" or their fourth "Emile Jacotey" which
seems to be sort of a concept story with an old French man as
narrator. Their debut "Caricatures" (1972), fifth "Par Les Fils Du
Mandrin"(1976) and double live (1 CD) sixth "Tome VI" (1977) are
also highly recommended to French music explorers. All of these
mentioned + a double live LP of their pre-"Caricatures" material
"En Concert 1970-1971" have all been reissued on CD, and are
available from Syn-Phonic (I think.)
One of my favorite symphonic progressive bands is the band
Atoll. Creating a music that owed much to Yes and Genesis, yet
again remaining distinctly French, Atoll were a talented ensemble
who showed a finesse with dynamic and melodic arrangements. Their
debut "Musiciens-Magiciens" (1974) is an excellent example of their
music, rich in synthesizer textures and dynamic rhythms and
featuring another strong French vocal presence - Andre Balzer.
1975 featured "L'Araignee-Mal," a concept album which added a good
violin player and moved a little toward fusion realms, while
remaining distinctly symphonic. Maybe the one most of you would
like best is their third "Tertio" (1977). Probably the closest
album France had to a Yes album, the fusion direction was
substantially altered and a lusher sound enveloped. "Tertio" is a
startling display of symphonic rock and the album's best cut
"Tunnel," a veritable menagerie of key and time changes, gives no
better indication as to this. Atoll's fourth "Rock Puzzle" while
also good moved closer to a more commercial style of prog rock,
with shorter songs with verses and choruses. After a complilation
"Cosmic Trips" Atoll "reformed" in the late 80's with a completely
different line-up, only featuring Christian Beya (who joined on
"L'Araignee-Mal") from the 70's line-up. Two albums followed both
being a Japanese-styled neo-progressive (and highly pop-oriented)
that are poor successors to their 70's releases. ("L'Ocean" (1989)
and "Tokyo C'est Fini" (1989) a live album.) Atoll's first two are
available on CD from Musea, with "Tertio" and "Rock Puzzle" to be
released eventually. All are still available on Japanese CD
(except "Cosmic Trips".)
Pulsar's style was slightly different from both of the
previous two. Much more in a Floydian vein - early Pulsar was
supposed to have covered PF a lot - Pulsar's space progressive was
like a mixture of Pink Floyd and Klaus Schulze albeit with a
symphonic egde. These guys created a startling spacious music with
the accent on melody and instrumental prowess. Different from many
French bands due to English vocals on their first three releases.
Their debut "Pollen" showed a band in progress - quite good, yet
slilghtly immature. Their second, "Strands Of The Future" was their
most spacious - at times resembling early Tangerine Dream or Klaus
Schulze, yet in a syphonic mode. The side-long title track is
escpecially amazing. Their third, and acclaimed best is
"Halloween." I did a quick review of a couple of articles ago, and
want to again say what a fantastic album this is, full of conflict
between spaciousness and dynamics, and very haunting. (Hopefully
this article will be posted on Halloween itself!) Although maybe
slightly inferior, their fourth "Bienvenue Du Conseil
D'Administration" is maybe their most explorative, with shorter
more concise tracks - yet rarely in song format, this album was
originally written for theatre. I haven't heard their reunion
album as of yet, but am led to believe that "Gorlitz," although a
good neo-progressive album, isn't on par with the previous four.
but don't take my word for it!
All three of these bands can also be heard on Musea's great
sampler "Enchantement," yet their tracks may be the worst on the
album. Ange's is the biggest shock, a track called "Vous!" which
is basically some sort of French pop-rock anthem type of song.
Atoll's, while more palatable, sounds more like "QE2" period Mike
Oldfield - yet nothing like 70's (or 80's) Atoll. Pulsar's track
is beautiful, albeit slightly pop, and sounds like Bryan Ferry
trying to do a Pulsar Track in French! The best tracks on this
album are Edhels' "Elfin Dance", which may be the best track I have
heard by this newer quartet; Raison De Plus's "Quand la Nuit Se
Levera" - when ARE we going to see an album by these guys - I mean
they shred; Minimum Vital's "Oxix Oponem" another great track by
this great new band and Atmosphere's "Explosure." "Enchantement"
is a great way to experience France's newer bands, but a poor
example of France's 70s legends.
Mike McLatchey