Customer Reviews

Francoiz Breut

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

 

 

WOW. One of the most striking, alluring, atmospheric, jazzy, sexy French albums you're likely to hear. When this came out in 1996, I was DJ-ing on a local noncommercial station & whenever I would play it, a dozen people would call to ask "wow! what is this!?" If you are looking for a truly enchanting, truly different-sounding record to groove out on, give this a try. This features smoky, Marianne Faithfull-style vocals swathed in a cloak of dreamy, somewhat foreboding arrangements not unlike Marc Ribot-era Tom Waits, or (dare I say it?) the Cowboy Junkies... Highly recommnended! (PS - you might also check out her boyfriend and musical partner, Dominique A, who also has several good albums out, and who co-produced this album... two of the best, most original French rock artists of the 1990s...)

Francoiz Breut's music in firmly rooted the stylish French pop tradition of Jane Birkin and Francois Hardy. The dense atomospheric musical arrangements chart the same musical terrain of classic sixties producers like Serge Gainsbourg, Lee Hazelwood, and even Brian Wilson. In contrast to the voluptuous arrangements is Francoiz's airy vocal presence. Her voice is so light it floats above the music weaving a spell of hypnotic seduction.

Cherbourg native Francoiz Breut has the mysterious aura of the beautiful Gallic muse in the tradition of Jeanne Moreau.
Her elusive persona is as much what she is not; as what she is...Or as Nico so aptly put it,"I am your mirror"; a paradoxical reflection of both desire and detachment. Her vocals are at once; deeply wounded, icy, intimately playful and breathlessly passionate. This CD, Francoiz Breut's 2000 self titled debut, along with her 2001 cult favorite "Vingt a Trente: Mille Jours" are both recommended as overlooked masterpieces by a singer who personfies style and orginality, in a world of by-the-numbers, artless pop music. Those who appreciate the brooding chanteuse persona of singers Nico, Marianne Faithfull or Portishead's Beth Gibbons will find Francoiz Breut's music to be a revelation.

when i first heard this lp, i thought, where has this been all my life? this album has moved me more than countless others in years. the last time i was this affected was in 93 with seefeel. this album is simply astounding; delicate, breathy, melancholic, aching, the descriptives could go on. the closest similarities in music are, mazzy star and nico, with a bit of francoise hardy. highly recommended!

I was flipping through 'Net radio stations, and I am so thankful I got this right in between the eyes and I was mesmerized. I strained to hear the name, and for once, the name of something I was interested in was mentioned, and s-p-e-l-l-e-d. There has been some exposure in Australia, France, but not London, the 'Net Radio DJ continued, every time in the last few years he has played something by this artist, the phones at the station light up demanding to know the artist, so he's decided to clearly say her name and spell it every time. I'm very happy he did.

I'm into music that is not like this at all, but this is so incredibly beautiful and different, the reviewer who mentioned the cafe setting is right, the sultry voice is matched perfectly with the haunting music, and I sure wish I could describe it better, but I can't so just buy it... unless ALL you listen to is country, or heavy heavy metal, you will fall in love with it like I did.

Imagine you're just really down on your luck and you find yourself sitting in a Parisian bar drinking, and it's just you and the bartender-- this would be the music that added that special little dramatic touch. Part singing, part talking, Francoiz Breut's sultry voice is perfectly matched with the slow music played only by a guitar, a bass and drums. Her songs are pretty simple, but that's what makes them so beautiful. If you like Cat Power and Cowboy Junkies, you should give this one a try.

I found this cd used for only a few dollars at a local record store and bought it on impulse thinking it would be another Ye-Ye record. It's not. Francoiz Breut sings in a soft voice that sometimes is barely a whisper. The music has a dark trip-hop vibe to it incorporating elements of dub, folk, and electronica. French superstar Dominique A. wrote the majority of songs, plays most of the instruments, and sings on one song. An indispensable part of my record collection...

ooh , I like her. Nice clear voice and she does not whisper. One thing that bothered me though is she sounds like she is speaking not singing. I love the melodies of each song.

after reading the reviews i ordered.... i'm giving it 4 stars, but I've only listened to it 2 times. i'm a big fan of the romantic scratchy vintage 30-40's french tunes, this was a leap into new music for me, however with a few more listens, I may retract the 4 stars and give francioz all 5. her sound is fresh.