[RE-UP] NINO FERRER

NINO FERRER
METRONOMIE (1971) / VERITABLES VARIETES VERDATRES (1977)
320 KBPS

In 1970 Ferrer returned to France, where he started working on what he perceived as his first "real" album. Serving brooding prog rock accompanied by more personal lyrics, Métronomie was co-created with long time friend Bernard Estardy.
Though the album went nowhere commercially, its not-so-representative leadoff track, "La Maison Près de la Fontaine," proved a huge mainstream success in France. This apparently irritated Ferrer, whose growing contempt for show business led him to view it as the umpteenth misconception of his artistic vision.
With time, Métronomie became a cult album whose progressive/psychedelic sweetness is still as fresh as it was when it was first released.
Véritable Variétés Verdâtres is not of the same caliber. Though it's not a bad album it certainly isn't as ambitious as Métronomie. Still, Nino's worst is better than what most other 70s mainstream French artists could produce and since VVV is not Nino's worst it has enough good moments to content the music lover.
May this double set serve as an intriduction to an artist too often seen as "the funny guy" because of his 60s hits "Mirza" and "Le Téléfon". A dire misconception of Nino Ferrer's work.

Métronomie
1. Métronomie
2. Les Enfants De La Patrie
3. Métronomie 2
4. Cannabis
5. La Maison Près De La Fontaine
6. Isabelle
7. Freak
8. Pour Oublier Qu'On S'Est Aimé

Véritables Variétés Verdâtres
1. Ouessant
2. Il Pleut Bergère
3. Joseph Joseph
4. Ah Les Americains
5. On Passe Trop De Temps
6. Mashed Potatoes
7. L'Inexpressible
8. Sud Express
9. Valentin

JACQUES HIGELIN

JACQUES HIGELIN
COUP DE FOUDRE (2010)
320 KBPS

Cigarette in mouth, banjo in hand, grey hair in the wind, here's Jacques Higelin again. We had to wait four long years to finally hear the returning adventures of the last great poet of French chanson, four long years well spent with "Amor Doloroso" and the live album which followed.
Higelin will be 70 this fall and it doesn't show. Sure, his voice has aged but like a good wine benefits from the passing of time, Jacques' voice has found new depths to move or entertain us.
Coup de Foudre, his new album, is as fresh as can be, joyous too. It's not as rock as his 70s album were but, then, who cares. With instruments such as a banjo, a piano, a trumpet (etc.) and melodies that immediately catch your ear, Higelin has managed, once again, to prove he still is one of the strongest forces of a French scene that owes him so much.
And then, there's the lyrics, never forced, little moments of lives Master Jacques seems to have collected and put on paper with wit and grace.
May Mister Higelin live a long life and give us many other albums, we so need him.

1. Coup De Foudre
2. J'Ai Jamais Su
3. Qu'Est-Ce Qui Se Passe?
4. New Orleans
5. Egéries, Muses Et Modèles
6. Kyrie Eleison
7. Hotel Terminus
8. Output
9. Valse Mf
10. Bye Bye Bye
11. Aujourd'Hui La Crise
12. Expo Photos

[RE-UP] CENTENAIRE

CENTENAIRE
CENTENAIRE (2007)
320 KBPS

Quite different from other Chief Inspector releases (Rigolus, Besson Rifflet, Camisetas, Collectif Slang, etc.) which are more jazz oriented, Centenaire debut album is a goldly surprise. Musicians included are, usually, to be found in either electronic, experimental or pop formations: Damien Mingus (My Jazzy Child), Axel Monnaud (Orval Carlos Sibelius), Stéphane Laporte (Domotic) and Aurélien Potier (Section Amour, Concertmate).
Centenaire appeared following the Orval project that already included Sibelius, Mingus, Monnaud and Potier, nethertheless, it's a real new step in those eductated musicians’ career. Here, they all gather in a rather different universe made of English folk, psychedelic pop and progressive rock.
With guitars, a cello, a clarinet, an organ, a drum set and a mini-guitar (the "charango"), they’ve build their music from many improvisation sessions. With influences such as Robert Wyatt, Pentangle and other Brittish musicians from the 70’s there was no doubt they will come out with something that could have been released 30 years ago yet still possesses the "air" of today’s expression (you can sometimes think of Espers or Animal Collective).
The four musicians have deliberately kept things simple, nourrishing their old-fashioned psychedelic folk as seminal and beautiful as can be. The result is quite easy to the ear yet possesses hidden treasures to those who will take the time to discover it. A very good album.

1. Norway
2. Le Retour
3. Castle
4. Take me Home
5. Swan
6. The Day Before
7. Bugatti
8. Heavy for everyone
9. The Dress
10. Masquerade
11. Riverside
12. Ending Fast
13. You
14. Strong

TAXI GIRL

TAXI GIRL
84-86 (1990)
320 KBPS

Taxi Girl was formed in Paris in the late '70s around Daniel Darc (vocals), Mirwais (guitar), Laurent Sinclair (keyboards), Stéphane Erard (bass), and Pierre Wolfsohn (drums). The band played directly alongside such legendary acts as Marquis de Sade in the French '80s cult bands club. Mainly influenced by literature and American pop music, the band came up with a Mishima meets the Stooges meets Kraftwerk meets Jim Morrison formula, becoming famous thanks to a couple of handful of singles ("Mannequin," "Cherchez le Garçon," "Paris," "Aussi Belle Qu'une Balle") and shocking live sets. Their manager, Alexis, built a whole legend around Darc and his crew, especially after Darc cut his own wrists on-stage when opening for Talking Heads. Their first album, Seppuku, produced by the Stranglers' Jean-Jacques Burnel and recorded with the help of drummer Jet Black (also of the Stranglers) showcased a fully grown romantic new wave band at the height of their powers. But drummer Pierre Wolfsohn's death by drug overdose precipitated the band's end, though the Darc-Mirwais core kept on recording a handful of singles and mini-LPs before both going solo. Darc had a slowly but amazingly growing career, and Mirwais when on successfully in the production field to the point where he got to produce Madonna albums in the 2000s. His newfound popularity, coupled to his Production album and Darc's acclaimed Crève Coeur, contributed to the increasing amount of bands claiming their influence in the mid-2000s new wave/post-punk revival scene.

1. Paris
2. Les Jours Sont Bien Trop Longs
3. Dites-Le Fort
4. Je Reve Encore De Toi (Stephanie Says)
5. Aussi Belle Qu'Une Balle
6. Je Suis Deja Parti
7. Paris Remix

MATHIEU BOOGAERTS

MATHIEU BOOGAERTS
I LOVE YOU (2008)
320 KBPS

With Mathieu Boogaerts it's expect the unexpect. While he debutes mixing african rhythm to his unique blend of indie pop, folk and chanson, the music of Mathieu Boogaerts evolved, album after album, towards an easier/poppier definition of his own sound culmulating with Michel, an album that, as the artist states himself was the end of a cycle for him.
And now I Love You... It's both a back to basics and a step ahead for Mathieu. Back to basics as he regrouped on his prime minimalism and found back his original quirky sound. A step ahead as, for the first time, Mathieu flirts with some sort of dadaist avant-garde not unlike what an Albert Marcoeur is able to produce (check "Chappe de Béton" for example).
This album largely disappointed those who expected Mathieu to dig a little deeper in the melodious approach of Michel and put a smile on the faces of those, like me, who missed his original quirkiness. Now, it's up to decide what team you play with.

1. Come to Me
2. All I Wanna do
2. Chappe de béton
3. Jambe
4. Fais gaffe
5. Chaque fois
6. Do You Feel OK
7. Bandit
8. Corinne
9. Allez
10. Game Over
11. I Love You

JEAN-LOUIS MURAT

JEAN-LOUIS MURAT
TRISTAN (2008)
320 KBPS

Jean Louis Murat, one of France's most prolific singer/songwriters, manages to make French language sound good with melodies originating from his unconditional love of artists such as Neil Young or Bob Dylan. On his previous album, he dealt with the words of Charles Baudelaire (and the musics of Léo Ferré), here, he gives us his own version of Tristan & Iseult which is not an easy task but, then, Murat doesn't like it when it too simple. Do not expect something sounding like a musical, Murat remains Murat and, with influences so firmly rooten in rock and folk, he does something unlike what anybody else would have come up with. Tristan is a magnificent and graceful album which does not feature a single potential hit but flows so well I dare you not to listen to it in full. We all need more artists like Jean-Louis Murat, artists that are able to convey depths through emotions without sounding pretentious or vain.

1. La Légende Dorée
2. L'Amour En Fuite
3. Mousse Noire
4. L'Hermine
5. Chante Bonheur
6. Tel Est Pris
7. Les Voyageurs Perdus
8. Dame Souveraine
9. Il Faut S'En Aller
10. Marlène

SANSEVERINO

SANSEVERINO
AUX BOUFFES DU NORD (2008)
320 KBPS

Recorded in June of 2008 in Paris, this double live displays and the tricks and shops of chanson/gypsy jazz phenomenom Stéphane Sanseverino. On two discs you have the tasty and lively introduction to something that pays tribute to both Django Reinhardt and Charles Aznavour while remaining something quite unique. Sanseverino remains one of the most interesting and appealing voices of the new chanson that hit France a few years ago and he demonstrates here that he is, above all, a great "live animal". And, with covers from Yves Montand, François Béranger or Les Wampas, it's a delight from start to finish. Try it.

Disc 1
1. Voyage Au Paradis
2. Les Sénégalaises
3. Les Films De Guerre
4. La Maison Sur Le Port
5. Explication De Texte
6. J'Ai Un Homme Dans Ma Vie
7. Les Ouvriers
8. Solo Lionel Suarez
9. La Femme Du Marin
10. Le Tango De L'Ennui
11. Rimini
12. 10 Jours Avant Paris
13. La Bicyclette

Disc 2
1. A Boy Named Sue
2. La Véritable Histoire De La Musique Country
3. Dispute Chez Des Amis
4. La Valse A Peggy
5. Le Tango Des Gens
6. Les Embouteillages
7. Les Faux Talbins

JP. NATAF

JP. NATAF
PLUS DE SUCRE (2004)
320 KBPS

Four years after his band - Les Innocents - called it quits, JP Nataf finally released his debut solo album. With guests such as Kim Fahy of the Mabuses, Bertrand Bonello (director of "Tiresia" and "Le Pornographe"), Albin de la Simone (and a few others) it was meant to be a major pop event in France. Sadly, if the music on "Plus de Sucre" (More Sugar) is indeed a pop feast not unlike what JP's previous band used to deliver, the success didn't come. Maybe his music is too subtle and melancholic to seduce the masses, maybe is it just bad luck... Anyway, this album never got the success he deserved. So, if you like French pop that has something between the ears, don't look any further, "Plus de Sucre" is for you.

1. Tout Doux
2. Mon Ami D'en Haut
3. Ovale Lune
4. Jean-Philippe
5. La Grande Ourse
6. Jeune Homme
7. Plus De Sucre
8. Rengaine
9. Je Mange Mal
10. Mon Vaudou
11. Enveloppe
12. Le Consentement

CLAIRE DITERZI

CLAIRE DITERZI
TABLEAU DE CHASSE (2007)
320 KBPS

Tableau de Chasse is Claire Diterzi's second album and, despite being as far as can be from progressive rock it's a concept album. Actually, the idea behind the 12 songs is quite appealing: each track is Claire's musical vision of a painting, sculpture or art installation. Musically, Claire Diterzi has crafted a clever and entertaining mix of chanson, pop and electronica lead by her voice and two backing singers with a background consisting of percussion, drum machines, strings, horns, samples...and more as Miss Diterzi has no limitation as to what is useful for the sake of the songs. Add to all this that no bad song is featured on Tableau de Chasse which makes a very pleasant and addictive 38 minutes listen which, though she clearly has a voice of her own, will appeal to fans of Björk, Camille or Emilie Simon.

1. L'Odalisque
2. Tableau de Chasse
3. Retiens-Moi
4. Zubrowka
5. A Quatre Pattes
6. L'Epave
7. Iku
8. Les Repas de Famille
9. La Vieille Chanteuse
10. Mes Bonnes Soeurs
11. Je Garde le Chien

LOUIS BERTIGNAC

LOUIS BERTIGNAC
LIVE (1998)
320 KBPS

Ex-Téléphone's axeman, Louis Bertignac never quite had the success he deserved as a solo artist. After two albums with his post-Téléphone band (Bertignac et les Visiteurs) and two solo albums which, if they weren't bad, certainly didn't demonstrate the furious performer Louis is on stage, he finally delivers something worth of his talent. This 1998 live album, produced by Chris Kimsey (Rolling Stones, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Marillion, Duran Duran, Peter Frampton, etc.), is here to give Louis' songs a new life. Surrounded by a band of top notch intrumentalists, he proves to all those who doubted his aptitude to make it as a solo artist that he's a real live beast. Selecting songs from his previous band (2000 Nuits, Cendrillon), his solo career and spicing up the selection with a few classics (Muddy Waters Blues, Sympathy for the Devil, Wild Thing, etc.) he offers us a great double live album, one that the fans of (classic) rock ought to themselves not to miss.

Disc 1
1. Vas-Y Guitare
2. Pas Cassé
3. Days of 96
4. Pluie De Blues
5. Maguy T'Arrache Pas
6. Oubliez Moi
7. Sniper
8. Je N'Veux Plus T'Attendre
9. Cendrillon - Version 97
10. Le Vent Viendra
11. (Sittin'On) The Dock Of The Bay
12. Muddy waters blues

Disc 2
1. Jack
2. Sympathy For The Devil
3. Hey Jude - Reprise Sympathy
4. Love In Vain
5. Girls From The North Country
6. Telle Est Ma Vie
7. 2000 Nuits
8. Coeur Ouvert
9. Flipper
10. Hygiaphone
11. Wild thing
12. Ces Idées-Là

M

M
LE BAPTEME (1997)
320 KBPS

M is the alias of French pop enigma Mathieu Chédid, an uncommonly idiosyncratic and far-ranging talent best known on North American shores for his contributions to the animated cult favorite Les Triplettes de Belleville. Born December 21, 1971, in Boulogne-Billancourt, Chédid was the son of French pop icon Louis Chédid (on whose 1978 hit "T'a Beau Pas Être Beau" the six-year-old made his recorded debut) and the grandson of renowned poet and novelist Andrée Chédid. As a teen Chédid collaborated with fellow pop scions Pierre Souchon and Julien Voulzy (children of the legendary songwriting duo Alain Souchon and Laurent Voulzy) in a series of short-lived groups like Les Bébés Fous and Les Poissons Rouges. A gifted multi-instrumentalist, he also emerged as an in-demand session player, contributing to recordings headlined by Philippe Chatel, NTM, and Billy Ze Kick. Upon completing his debut solo LP, 1997's Le Baptême, Chédid adopted the alias "M," abbreviating his first name while also playing on the pronunciation of "aime," the French word for "love." Developing a vividly theatrical stage show complementing his playful melodies and operatic vocals, M completed his transformation with both a guitar and a coiffure in the shape of his one-letter persona (to picture the latter, imagine a younger, space-age Grandpa Munster). This debut album is a classy and entertaining display of groovy pop mixed with humorous chanson and a good starting point to discover the artist.

1. La Fleur
2. Le Baptême
3. L'amour Ma Thématique
4. Nostalgic Du Cool
5. Manque De Q
6. Je Suis Une Cigarette
7. La Mort De L'âme
8. Pickpocket
9. Les Acariens
10. Le Rose Pourpre Du Coeur
11. Coup De Vent
12. Le Temps Mue
13. Machistador
14. Souviens Toi
15. Souvenir Du Futur
16. Machistador Extended
17. Céline Attendue

COCOON

COCOON
MY FRIENDS ALL DIED IN A PLANE CRASH (2007)
320 KBPS

Cocoon are an English-language folk-pop duo from France whose full-length album debut in 2007 garnered critical acclaim and commercial success internationally. Formed in 2006 in Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne, France, the band is primarily comprised of Mark Daumail (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, ukulele, banjo; born December 6, 1984) and Morgane Imbeaud (harmony vocals, keyboards; April 14, 1987). Their influences include classic folk-rock bands such as Pentangle and Fairport Convention as well as contemporary folk-pop acts such as Devendra Banhart and Sufjan Stevens. Cocoon made their recording debut in 2006 with an independently released EP, I Hate Birds, which was picked up for release on the well-regarded French indie label Sober & Gentle. The duo subsequently began working on its full-length debut album, My Friends All Died in a Plane Crash (2007), which was preceded by the release of an EP, From Panda Mountains (2007), featuring three new versions of songs previously released on I Hate Birds ("On My Way," "Tell Me," "I Don't Give a Shit"), one of which would become the lead single from My Friends All Died in a Plane Crash ("On My Way"). Not only was My Friends All Died in a Plane Crash critically acclaimed upon its release, it was also commercially successful, breaking into the Top 40 of the French albums chart and the Top 100 of the Belgian and Swiss albums charts. Fans of Elliott Smith and quality folk/pop, try this.

1. Take Off
2. Vultures
3. On My Way
4. Seesaw
5. Christmas Song
6. Tell Me
7. Owls
8. Paper Boat
9. Cliffhanger
10. Chupee
11. Hummingbird
12. Microwave

FRANCOISE HARDY

FRANCOISE HARDY
LA PLUIE SANS PARAPLUIE (2010)
320 KBPS

Four years after her duets album (Parenthèles, 2006) and 6 after "Tant de Belles Choses", Françoise Hardy, THE French pop icon, returns with an album that could easily be summed up as a back to the basics outfit. Indeed, on "La Pluie Sans Parapluie" (Rain Without an Umbrella), Françoise recalls the ghosts of her past fame and produces a genuine pop album. Of course, the arrangements have been updated since the late 60s/early 70s but, still, it's the closest she ever sounded like she used to. To achieve that, she surrounded herself with a team of younger songwriters such as Alain Lubrano (with whom she's been collaborating for about 10 years), La Grande Sophie, Arthur H, Thierry Stremler, The Ben Christophers, Jean-Louis Murat and a few more. The result may not be up to the best she produced but falls pretty close which is more than I've been expecting in 2010. A nice album, really.

1. Noir sur blanc
2. Mieux le connaître
3. Champ d'honneur
4. La Pluie sans parapluie
5. Les Pas
6. Le Temps de l'innocence
7. Je ne vous aime pas
8. Esquives
9. Mister
10. Memory Divine
11. Un cœur éclaté
12. L'Autre côté du ciel
13. Les mots s'envolent

DOGS

DOGS
WALKING SHADOWS (1980)
REMASTER
320 KBPS

The Dogs were formed in Rouen (Normandie) in 1973 around Dominique Laboubée (vocals, guitars), Paul Peschenaert (guitars), François Camuzeaux (bass), and Michel Gross (drums). At first, the band could have been filed under pub rock for its set lists comprised of many covers, from the Velvet Underground to the Flamin' Groovies. But they quickly came up with some English-sung original material, mainly inspired by their British and American peers, from the Flamin' Groovies to Dr. Feelgood. Like locals Little Bob Story, they were something way more than just a regional phenomenon, and despite an unsuccessful commercial career, the Dogs left a considerable legacy with the release of their two most famous LPs: 1979's Different and 1982's Too Much Class for the Neighbourhood. The constant support of France's veteran music magazine Rock & Folk wasn't enough to make the Dogs explode to a larger scale, but they remain a treasured cult band for many, especially since their definitive end with singer Dominique Laboubée's death in 2002, at the early age of 45.
This album was described as The Flaming Groovies meets The Stooges in a Paris bar in the 70s'.

1. Secret Life
2. Boy
3. Algomania
4. Walking Shadow
5. Disfigured
6. Underworld
7. '79 (I've Lost My Mind In)
8. Skin On Skin
9. Anna Jane
10. Evil Heart
Bonus Tracks
11. Cette Ville Est Un Enfer
12. Trouble Fête

GUILLAUME DE CHASSY

GUILLAUME DE CHASSY
+ STEPHANE KERECKI & FABRICE MOREAU
FARAWAY SO CLOSE (2008)
320 KBPS

On the heels of two highly-acclaimed duet recordings with bassist Daniel Yvinec (the latter recently named to head France's National Jazz Orchestra), pianist Guillaume de Chassy last year released a remarkable Piano solo (Bee Jazz, 2007). You see the trend: duo, solo—the band can't get any smaller, so de Chassy has released a record for piano trio.
It's characteristic of de Chassy's deliberate premeditation that he changes formats in this incremental way. Everything about the new record reflects this same careful musical intelligence.
The pianist's band mates have been effectively chosen. Bassist Stéphane Kérécki plays with a stolid, guitar-like musicality not unlike Yvinec's: strumming, he sometimes seems the star of the show ("Wish You Were Here," "Ida Lupino"). Drummer Fabrice Moreau, meanwhile, can provide both Paul Motian-like accents as well as bottom-heavy propulsion (evident in particular on the three takes of the slightly self-consciously extemporaneous "What Do You Mean?").
Many elements of de Chassy's musical universe are present in the repertoire. Echoing Chansons sous les bombes (Bee Jazz, 2004), the duet program with bassist Yvinec of classic French songs, there is Charles Trenet's "Coin de rue." A new reading of de Chassy's "Parenthèse" (an ephemeral whisper on the earlier solo-piano record) here reveals the beautiful inevitability of the composition in the trio setting.
De Chassy has been compared by more than one listener to Paul Bley, and rightly so. It therefore requires a little chutzpah to include "Ida Lupino," perhaps more closely associated with the Montreal pianist than any other composition. De Chassy nevertheless makes the number his own (he lets bassist Kérécki play the signature lilting figure throughout much of the performance), without radically overhauling the piece; what comes through is confidence in his own musical voice.
There are furthermore countless classical echoes—in "Après un rêve," based on a theme by Fauré; in the formal foundations underlying "Choral" and "Nocturne." De Chassy the soloist is anything but anodyne; he takes considerable risks, but never sounds free in an untethered way. Both the varied harmonic resources and the discipline in his playing in fact owe a lot to this classical pedigree.
All of the aforementioned strong points, however, recede before the album's opener, an exquisite setting of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here." Some listeners will be reminded of the Bad Plus's similar borrowings from the classic FM rock song book, and while I don't think they are trying to be cute any more than de Chassy is, this Pink Floyd cover seems to plumb greater depths. The trio's statement of the theme is achingly lovely; the reworking of the plodding middle section evokes an intimate yet nearly existential dread akin to the opening music of the third act of Tristan und Isolde. Perfect in every respect.

1. Wish you were here
2. Coin de rue
3. Choral
4. What do you mean ? (# 1)
5. Après un rêve (d'après Gabriel Fauré)
6. What do you mean ? (# 2)
7. Ida Lupino
8. What do you mean ? (# 3)
9. Parenthèse
10. Nocturne

DEBOUT SUR LE ZINC

DEBOUT SUR LE ZINC
DE CHARYBDE EN SCYLLA (2008)
320 KBPS

One of the many bands to appear in France in the late 90s, early 00s with La Rue Kétanou, Les Têtes Raides, Rue de la Muette, Les Hurlements de Léo or Les Ogres de Barback (to name a few) but not the least of them, Debout sur le Zinc was born when two bands (a folk and a rock one) merged. "De Charybde en Scylla" is their 6th full-length where the band displays more of its folkish take on French chanson. As with their previous albums, you've got a clever and entertaining mix of folk, rock, chanson and world music (gypsy and celtic) that both conveys melancholia and happiness perfectly.Those who love this new French scene and want more of it or those curious to hear what it's all about will be well advised to give this one a spin or two, they'll probably not regret it.

1. J'ai
2. Sport 2000
3. Fin septembre
4. Scylla
5. Aller simple
6. Coup de foudre
7. En attendant...
8. S'ils savaient
9. L'arbre
10. L'invisible
11. Je cherche encore
12. En attendant le pire

L

L
PREMIERES LETTRES (2008)
320 KBPS

Here comes a new voice in the French scene. One that has everything to content those who like Chansons à la French and where influences from "Great Old Ones" (Barbara, Brel, Ferré) can be found, in a modern fashion that is.
The delicacy of L's voice and melodies fits well songs which have more layers than you'd initially think. The arrangements are kind of pop/rock oriented even if fado, classical music or jazz are part of this new-girl-in-town's musical universe.
Be one of the first to get a taste of L's talent on this sweet mini-album. Omens are she's going to be big quite soon.

1. Les Hurleurs
2. Mes Lèvres
3. Petite
4. La Pluie
5. Jalouse
6. Mon Frère

LE SACRE DU TYMPAN

LE SACRE DU TYMPAN
LA GRANDE OUVERTURE (2008)
320 KBPS

Sometimes it's tough translating a French play on words. Tympan is French for eardrum, and Le Sacre du Tympan is a play on "Le Sacre du Printemps", the French title for "The Rite of Spring" by Stravinsky. See what I mean? Some things are better off unexplained. But does the music of this big band for the 21st Century really need any explaining? Well, with seventeen musicians (saxophones, trumpets, trombones, tubas, flutes, percussion, guitars, bass guitars and drums), a zest of jazz, a touch of rock and a (collective) open mind, perhaps it's enough just to know that as well as being an accomplished accompaniment to other artists (including Sébastien Tellier and March of the Penguins' Emilie Simon) they have also recorded two albums of their own. "We like to collaborate with people from other musical backgrounds," explains bandleader Fred Pallem. "All the tracks on our last album were born out of encounters with other artists. We adapt to them, they adapt to us. We could have done a whole album with each of them." And listening to the diversity on the album, you can believe it: the group is equally at ease with an Etta James or Burt Bacharach cover as they are playing noisy rock or a faux-porno soundtrack. Which is perhaps why their latest album is called "La Grande Ouverture", which you could translate as Wide Open. Or The Grand Overture. Or perhaps you'll just find that listening to the album itself is explanation enough...

1. La grande ouverture
2. Promises promises
3. La voisine aux oiseaux
4. Sharpening bone
5. Midnight sun
6. Fool that I am
7. Zombi
8. Picasso blue
9. Une épitaphe
10. Compartiment tueurs
11. Grovers corners
12. Country band march

DIONYSOS

DIONYSOS
WESTERN SOUS LA NEIGE (2002)
320 KBPS

Indie Rock band coming from Valence, responsible for delightful albums such as "Monsters in Love" or "La Mécanique du Coeur", Dionysos was releasing here the much expected sequel to his praised debut ("Haiku"). For this second opus, they chose to work with Steve Albini and went to record in the USA. "Western Sous La Neige" wasn't has quirky as their debut showing the first elements of what was to come. In that, it can be defined as a transition album but it's much more than that, a splendid Indie Rock album, one of the best released in France in 2002.
Digging deeper in his influences, leader songwriter Mathias Malzieu dared to invoke the ghosts of the Pixies, Iggy Pop, Sparklehorse or Tom Waits while still remaining true to his own style. As the title might let you guess (Western under the Snow), it's a very much American-sounding albums the froggies have came up with, yet it is still very French and that's probably why it sounds so unique and, ultimately, entertaining. A must hear.

1. Intro : Thème From Western Sous La Neige
2. Coiffeur D'Oiseaux
3. Tokyo Montana
4. Longboard Blues
5. Déguisé En Pas Moi
6. Mc Enroe'S Poetry
7. Don Diego 2000
8. Don Diego 2000
9. Surfin Frog
10. Coffin Song
11. She Is The Liquid Princess
12. Petit Colorado
13. Anorak
14. I Love You
15. Longboard Train
16. Song For Jedi
17. Rodéo

JOSEPH D'ANVERS

JOSEPH D'ANVERS
LES JOURS SAUVAGES (2008)
320 KBPS

Despite what his name may let you think, Joseph d'Anvers doesn't come from northern Belgium, in fact, this Paris-based singer/songwriter has since long been living in the popular north of the French capital, not far from the subway station... Anvers! For his second album, this modern troubadour has decided to leave hs beloved hometown and head to Rio de Janeiro where he worked with producer Mario Caldato (Beastie Boys, Jon Spencer, Beck, etc.) and came back with a mix of raw minimalistic pop/chanson and electronica that fits his sweet voice perfectly. Keeping at heart his "French-hood", Joseph has succeeded to reinvent his sound while never betraying where he came from delivering 13 entertaining tunes that will equally please the indie pop lover and the new chanson afficionado which was not as easy as it seemed. Doing so, he gave us one of the best French albums of 2008, flawed sometimes but that's part of its peculiar and endearing charm.

1. Kids
2. Le Continent
3. Entre Mes Mains
4. A Mi-Distance
5. 1000 Fois
6. Par Avance
7. Le Bât Blesse
8. Le Funambule
9. L'Amnésie
10. Sept Jours D'Une Vie
11. Les Chiens (Mangent Les Chiens)
12. Les Anonymes
13. Les Roses