Emile Jacotey

Was it because drummer Gerald Jelsch was replaced by the more muscular and adept Guenole Biger? Or because artistic director Jean-Claude Poignant held the band firmly in his hand? Emile Jacotay takes an important departure from Le Cimetiere des Arlequins and Au-Dela du Delire. Christian Decamps' theatrics are dimmed and the Mellotron is out -- two things that suddenly allow for better arrangements and better balance (previously the sound was drenched by the Mellotron). The band's writing keeps on growing, but on this album complexity takes precedence over melody. As a result, the songs are more forgettable. Highlights include the rock number "Bele, Bele Petite Chevre" ("Bleat, Bleat Little Goat"), the theatrical "Le Nain de Stanislas" ("Stanislas' Midget"), and the beautiful ballad "Ode a Emile," a simple but heartfelt tribute to an 85-year-old man, a story-teller like Christian Decamps. The 18-minute suite "Ego et Deus" is not Ange's most memorable work; some parts ("Aurelia") work out nicely but the whole thing doesn't hold very tightly together -- a half-failed experiment. Emile Jacotay remains a transitional album. ~ Francois Couture