15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classics from the alternate universe of French pop, September 21, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: 36 Grands Succes (Audio CD)
Pop music from France has a terrible reputation. But if you've actually listened to any of the good stuff, you know that it's largely undeserved. Serge Gainsbourg and Francoise Hardy are finally getting the recognition they deserve in the English-speaking world--now it's time for France Gall, Nino Ferrer and the supercool Jacques Dutronc. This collection is terrific! The sound is sort of comparable to '65-ish Brit pop and American garage and folk rock. Dutronc's lyrics are scathing and witty--unfortunately you have to understand some French to enjoy them, and this somewhat cheaply-packaged collection doesn't even include them in the original language. But! for 36 tracks you can't beat this price.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not Bad At All, February 9, 2006
This review is from: 36 Grands Succes (Audio CD)
My girlfriend subjected me to several albums from the French pop canon one night and though I (ignorantly) braced myself they all turned out to be decent and valid. This one by Dutronc was my favorite . Dutronc's L'Opportuniste and La Metaphore are both in heavy rotation on my iPod these days. The latter is catchy and I have no idea what it means. The former is in very easy French, the narrator admitting that he is a turncoat, falling for whatever the prevailing political fashion is, Communist, Socialist, Capitalist, etc. (a lyric unknowingly but exactly recycled later on Cafe Tacuba's Re -- El Borrego?). I was already a heavy fan of the more modern Air, Noir Desir, and Daft Punk, also French. Dutronc is more in the vein of The Kinks and Burt Bacharach. This CD is definitely worth the price.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
