Mona Lisa ~ France

Grimaces (1975)

Mona Lisa were the second most known band operating in the French Theatrical Progressive rock style, well behind the progenitors of the movement: Ange. Grimaces is their sophomore effort and is a major leap in quality from their debut - at least in terms of production and overall songwriting. While lead singer Dominique Leguenec most certainly dominates the recording with his impassioned and unique vocal style, the band doesn't sit back and buy a ticket to watch. There's plenty of musical breaks and exciting instrumental flights of fancy. Though Mona Lisa's next two albums are considered their classics, Grimaces might be my favorite. It's a bit more raw and unpolished. Essential for the style, regardless.

Ownership: 1975 Arcane (LP). Yellow and black label (there exists a white and red as well). Rough paper sleeve. Acquired in 2000.

2000; 2//06; 8/7/23 (review)

De l'Ombre à la Lumière (1998)

De l'Ombre à la Lumière is, in effect, the 5th Versailles album. Due to the presence of charismatic vocalist Dominique Le Guennec, the band opted to name themselves Mona Lisa out of respect. Not to mention that Le Guennec co-writes eight of the nine tunes here. My guess is he's the lyricist, but there's no definitive proof of my assumption. In addition to Le Guennec the band recruited Philippe Maury, formerly of Quidam (Reflets Rocks), to perform bass duty. No matter, as Versailles' fingerprints are all over this. Not quite the instrumental powerhouse of the last three Versailles albums, which in addition to the Ange / Mona Lisa sound, also were profoundly rooted into the Pulsar space rock motif. The music of De l'Ombre à la Lumière is a bit more straightforward, similar to classic era Mona Lisa albums like Le Petit Violon de Mr. Gregoire and Avant Qu'il ne Soit Trop Tard, perfect for highlighting the histrionics of Le Guennec's front-man routine. Plenty of great flute and mellotron points to Mona Lisa's 70's heritage - and Versailles' intentional retro instrumentation. Interesting to note that Le Guennec sat out for the last Mona Lisa album (Vers Demain), only to return some ten years later with Versailles in tow and the other members of Mona Lisa nowhere to be found.

Ownership: 1998 Musea (CD). Acquired in 1999.

1999; 11/5/12 (review)

Other albums I own: L'Escapade; Le Petit Violon de Mr. Gregoire; Avant Qu'il ne Soit Trop Tard; Vers Demain

11/5/12 (new entry)