Versailles - Don Giovanni. 1992 France

All that was wrong with the debut was corrected here. Versailles put everything together on Don Giovanni for a mature progressive rock album in the theatrical French language tradition - itself a nationalistic response to the immense popularity of those pesky English and their blasted Genesis. So, in effect, Versailles are to Ange and Mona Lisa what IQ are to Genesis. And vocalist/guitarist/flautist and overall ringleader Guillaume de la Piliere is their spiritual heart, in the same way Peter Nicholls is for IQ. His vocals are the centerpiece to the compositions, but since most of the tracks clear the 10 minute mark, plenty of room is given for the most impressive instrumental work.

What was so striking about this release in 1992 was the pointed use of analog equipment, something that was highly unusual in its day. Hammond organ, string synths, Rickenbacker bass (or similar), acoustic and compressed electric acid guitar solos are all out of the 1978 French cookbook. If you've heard the private press French albums from this era (Arachnoid, Archaia, Nuance, etc...), then you'll know exactly the type of guitar sound I'm talking about here. 1992 is also the year Anglagard burst onto the scene, and yet Versailles went by with barely a mention. The good news is they continued on from here with two more albums (really 3 if you count the last Mona Lisa album), which are arguably even better and more powerful.

Ownership: CD: 1992 Musea

9/1/12 (new entry)