Customer Reviews

Bande a Part

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Not the same "wow" as the first album (as it came out of left field), but definitely not a victim of the sophomore jinx either. In regards the song selections, Punk Music had its time & place, and to hear these songs (which probably are familiary anyone who has listened to popular music from the early 80s onward) done differently is interesting, worthy of any true music fans attention (I would have loved to hear Nouvelle Vague do a version of The Clash's "Rock The Cassbah."

Nouvelle Vague's artistic angle reminds me of jazz, in that the "studio" or album version was just the blueprint, the springboard, and what the musicians do on stage can be markedly different. So-called pop music (whether it's punk, hiphop, bubblegum, ska, classic rock) could all be reinterpretted (like this straight raggae disc of Police songs that I heard -- it's those lyrics, but done with a Trenchtown groove) -- and anyone who tells you it can't or it shouldn't is being closed minded.

And speakig of Sting, he does a lot of reinterpreting of his music (like on his Bring on the Night CD or the MTV Unplugged session) -- it makes it that much richer. Remember so-called symphonic classical music was improvised upon in its day.

I'm not entirely sure what listeners who aren't familiar with most of the original versions will get out of this album. As someone who went through punk, new wave, new romantic, goth and indie-kid phases in the late 70's/early 80's but who now listens to lounge, bossa, dub and nu-jazz I'm surely part of a very small group to whom Nouvelle Vague's work is perfectly pitched.
The standouts for me are the sublime opening track and a kittenish reworking of Human Fly. Some of the other covers work less well, including a way-too-respectful attempt at Pride. Potential buyers should also be warned that there several different editions of this CD aimed at various international markets. Check the tracklistings before buying
Never thought I'd ever again listen to Bela Lugosi's Dead by choice...

If you liked the first album, you won't necessarily like this one. Be warned. A classic case of unimaginative second album syndrome here. The whole trick with any album of cocktail lounge covers of punk/new wave/new romantic/etc classics lies in choosing the right songs - ideally the more unlikely songs for such a makeover. Nouvelle Vague's first album - not this one - got this perfect. This one, however, seems like it has been put together in a Help!, what do we choose now panic. Full of already drippy songs like Fade To Grey and Dance With Me, or tracks - eg Ever Fallen In Love -where the original is so much better that one wonders why they bothered. Finally, every song sounds rather too samey, which was not true of brilliant album number one.

This style isn't for everyone; its almost what I would say is European pop mix, just done in a style that leaves one with a better relief in the dreaded classification of "pop" music.

As an '80's punker turned middle age hipster (yeah, right)I find the lounge versions of my all time favourites a blast to listen to in a whole new light! Anyone with the courage to cover the DK is alright in my book!
I could have lived with out Bella Legosi, however...Bauhaus did so many more worthy songs to cover.

OK, I'll admit right away that i don't get the criticisms below. i am one of those people who shudder at the adaptations of the Beatles, Stones, the Led, Dead Kennedys or Bobby Zimmerman. Yet i love this album. Some pieces (like Dancing with Myself or The Killing Moon) are better than the originals and others (like the Human Fly) or Bela Lugosi's Dead - the adaptation of the famous Bauhaus song - are almost like new songs, originals themselves. The singing is subtle and intense at the same time - this is no lounge music. Remind me of Pink Martini, only better.

I'm a big 80s music fan. And Nouvelle Vague does exactly what any cover band should do, IMHO - a unique interpretation of the original, rather than a cloned copy.

Some songs take a moment to recognize. Others, like Billy Idol's "Dancing with Myself" make you go "I know that song and this is sooooo cool!".

Lounge music has never been done better.

I am so in love with their first album, in fact it is one of the favorite cd's I own! I can't get enough of their first album, but I recently purchased this Bande A Part and was really disappointed! I really haven't listened to it that much, it just didn't capture my attention as their first album did. Now I don't know if I want to buy their latest cd or not.

I could not disagree more with the previous review. Although the first ablum is probably stronger, the second is a great follow up. Most people just don't get this band. I saw em last Friday in LA, and I will never view "to drunk to F*ck" the same way again. Moreover for the live preformances, the songs were tricked out different from the album recordings. I grew up with these songs to, and love these versions. If it was not for KCRW I would have never heard of this band, somehow, I don't think that KCRW is known for playing bands that stink.

Dancing with myself and blue Monday are the best tracks. The rest are ok. If you like 40s music and like the original tracks this album covers you will like it.