Customer Reviews

C'est Complet

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first encountered Les Calamites in Paris in 1984 in a record shop on the left bank, I bought the album on the spot. I have long considered their first(and only)album to be one of the undiscovered gems of the 80's. The tunes and feel were pure 60's Brit pop, the attack was "pleine de punk" and the harmonies were exquisite. Every track was stunning and joyous, original compositions in French (Tous les Nuits, Nicholas, Le Supermarche)were joyous pop perfection and covers of songs like "The Kids are Alright" were sung with a disarming French accent (Za Keeds are Alright!) it was impossible not to love. The album was pure bliss. This album went missing years ago, I was unable to replace it on three trips to Paris. Last year on a trip to France, I came across "C'est Complet" and I bought it on the spot. This cd contains their complete catalog (hence the title) including their one full length album and their one quasi-hit "Velomoteur", which is another ripping good track. The cd also includes a much welcome brief history of the band. The only weak track is an ill-advised cover of "Boy from New York City", it doesn't have the power and abandon found on all the other tracks. The cd is a wonderful testament to this wonderfully melodic and fun band. A true treasure.

Don't be scared of the fact so many songs are sung in French by this French pop band of the '80s. As we used to say in the '80s: "It's not what you say, it's how you say it."

And to translate my original French review in the most obscure '80s fanzine ever ("Over The Wall"):
"If you want a record with the modern sound of the '80s but also with the sound of girl groups of the '60s this is a disc you will love."

It was a pretty garage-pop female band from France in the middle '80.
"Toutes les nuites" is a superb garage-punk song, the rest is a pretrty garage-pop.