Versailles - Le Tresor de Valliesres. 1994 France

Versailles' 3rd album continues to mine the 1600's French bawdy theme of Don Giovanni, and actually expand upon, the motif artistique of the theatrical French bands like Ange and Mona Lisa. The album cover art perhaps underscores this more than the music itself. Musically, Versailles doubles down on the direction of its predecessor. On Le Trésor de Valliesres, Versailles goes for broke on their early 1970s sound and composition obsession, going as far as adding mellotron and throwing in crazy progressive ideas / meter shifts / thematic inconsistencies wherever they feel like it. Add to that the Chris Squire inspired bass playing, and Gilmour (or perhaps more pointedly, Pulsar) styled glissando guitar, and you're in progressive rock heaven (at least how I define it). Had this album been released in 1974, it would today be considered one of France's all-time great symphonic progressive masterpieces. But alas, this was 1994, an era that is today much looked over. But have no fear fellow intrepid travelers, the eventual discovery is coming. And we'll be awaiting when the ships arrive. For those that love Gallic progressive rock, this one is an all-timer.

Ownership: CD: 1994 Musea. Standard jewel case release with a most fascinating cover. 

1994; 11/8/12 (new entry)