MIOSSEC

MIOSSEC
1964 (2004)
320 KBPS

Not a great singer, Christophe Miossec nicely manages to renew himself with every album he releases. 1964, his 5th, celebrates his return to form after a tepid "Brûle".
Miossec on this record has made the most of his trademark intimate voice by harnessing giant orchestral tides of sound to power his songs. You might call the arrangements alone sappy, but when they accompany his heartfelt and honest lyrics the package is hard to resist.
My favorites are the opener, "Je m'en vais," in which he repeats more and more feelingly the lyric, "I have loved only you," and "Rester en vie," which at the end resolves (dissolves?) into a beautiful solo organ.
"La quarantaine," which substitutes tympani for the waves of stringed instruments found elsewhere, is also hypnotic and beautiful. Even if you don't speak French Miossec's honesty and confessional spirit will shine through the language barrier.
French chanson lovers should try this.

1. Je M'En Vais
2. Rose
3. Brest
4. Essayons
5. Ta Chair Ma Chère
6. Rester En Vie
7. Le Stade De La Résistance
8. Désolé Pour La Poussière
9. En Quarantaine
10. Dégueulasse
11. Les Gueules Cassées
12. Pentecôte