Customer Reviews

Dies Irae

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

 

 

The first time I'd ever heard of Noir Desir, I was in the Greek Islands, in a hotel room, watching some European music video channel at around 3 in the morning. I wasn't paying much attention when a show came on that turned out to be a documentary on Noir Desir. It was in French, so I didn't understand a word, but then they started playing some music videos from this very live disc. By the end of the first song they had my complete attention. By the end of the second I was hooked. By the end of the third I was running around the room in my underwear screaming anti-fascism lyrics in French (a language I do not speak), much to the distress of the hotel staff. If that's not a recommendation, I'm not sure what is. Anyway, it took me about a year later to find "Dies Irae", and it was as great as I remembered. And it still is. La rage! dEFROG out

Look, we're talking about one the best (sorry, Herve) albums from one of the greatest Rock bands of all time. Moreover, Noir Desir is as good, if not better live than in the studio - a rarity given the last 3 decades of over-produced 'musicucha' from the Trevor Horn and the like.

I can see the comparison to the Doors, but Morrison & Co. weren't nearly as musically talented, lacked the musical diversity, the sheer number of great songs, and sadly were inconsistent playing live. Just listen to Ici Paris, Here it Comes, Slowly, It Spurts, Ernestine, etc. - it makes my beard stand on edge. I think you'll see that Noir Desir is are up there with the Stones (pre-1980, thank you), Pixies, Dandy Warhols, Hendrix, the Stooges, older U2, old Santana, Clapton/Cream (pre 1980), Led Zep, Muse, Radiohead, Fela Kuti, Nirvana, The Who, White Stipes, Neil Young, and a rare few others - at the pinnacle of pure rock 'n roll - especially as it's meant to be heard - live and with passion.

This, all the more, makes Noir Desir's recent demise one of rock music's great tragedies. By the way, one could add the old AC/DC (with Bon Scott) to the aforementioned list, but but passion and guitar licks alone will only get you so far.

Many critics can be given on the studio album of Noir Desir, but live. They are just a big kick in the butt. They are more than rough and this album is just a good testimony of "must go to" concerts. Just the cover of the beatles "I want you" is an example, they are french and they are angry!!!.