Customer Reviews

Fleurs

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I never ever bother to write reviews for anything- but this time I am compelled. This is a really great record I feel for several reasons...
In terms of tone, "Fleurs" is quite the departure for Freddy Ruppert. The desperation is definitely preserved from This Song Is A Mess But So Am I days, but this one keeps its intensity in a frank, hopeful mode of expression. The lyrics on the album are obscenely beautiful and sincere- being both plainstated and yet acquiring a certain depth with the listener. Freddy takes on most of the main vocals- his voice has a stressed, emotionally cathartic, almost husky sound to it. It seems as if he is almost just talking and the result is mystifying and very very much musical. The strain seems to become the notes. The other two performers also provide interesting and minimalistic backing vocals- but have remarkably strong leads on their own. All of this is passed through impossible amounts of reverb...

Vocals are placed high in the mix- but the complex and unique electronic instrumentation serves as an overall structure. What is most entrancing about the drum machines and synthesizers are that they together share a both scraping and melodic quality- passing it seamlessly back and forth between instruments. The synths sound fuzzy the drum programming jars and weaves together in unexpected and exciting ways. Or the synths sound pure and the drum machine pulses pure (albeit drenched in reverb). There are many shades in between, and it always stimulating.

This album features remarkable progression in terms of sound and feeling- which interestingly- belies its seemingly sparse instrumentation. Small digital sounds are given HUGE presence in the production- the voices propel it all forward- the drum machine offers a pulse- the voices propel it all forward- the synthesizers sweep it clean away ...and it begins again... All of it is completely enrapturing, emotional, contemplative- each new organization drills into your heart it's so DENSE. I cannot stop- "Fleurs" is beautiful, beautiful, beautiful... nothing short of AMAZING. Great job Freddy, Nika, and Jamie- you are inspirations for lots of musicians and people.

I hope this review says something about any of it. Listen to the previews and buy it.

This album is my favorite release of 2009 (at this writing, it is only 3 months old to be exact). First of all, it is Risky because to the undecerning listener it could possibly sound juvenile and poorly produced. This would be a misconception. The members of this band are performance- and studio-savvy musicians with lots of experience with previous projects. The low-fi and bare-bones approach to the audio is fully intended and at the CORE of this projects charm.

Some of the sounds are grating, or flat out annoying, as are "tinny" reverb effects meshed with the vocals -- this however is fully intended, and absolutely effective in conveying a very original approach to recording in a day and age when it seems that everything under the sun has already been done, and been done as slick as is technologically possible. I would compare the production approach to a filmographer purposefully employing antiquated filming equipment to produce a noir effect, or something like that. It is original and very well done. No, FG are not the Beatles or Elvis, but there is a new horizon they've taken this electeronic rock to that I haven't heard done so well thus far. It is unique, even mesmerizing. Plus, the juxtaposition of harsh sounds with almost "new agey" soothing sounds is delectable, delightfully strange, and just different, very different.

At the start of one song, the vocalist actually coughs while waiting to begin vocals, and it was left on the track; I personally respect that. This project is new new punk in the most old school, electronicy-awesome way, with flavors of the future thrown in the mix. Excellent stuff. Come to Albuquerque FG!