Fugu 1

Fugu | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 4, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Minty Fresh
• ASIN: B00005NTQL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #481,247 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Best Of Us

2. Grand Celesta

3. Sol Y Sombra

4. Variations Fitzwilliam

5. Triple Bass

6. Vibravox

7. Oua Oua

8. Ondulations

9. Monocorde

10. Baragan

11. Tsimbalon

12. Au Depart

13. Meanwhile

14. Clavipluck

15. Angel Fair With Golden Hair

16. Pianolyre

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Album for fans of great pop masterpieces!, September 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Fugu 1 (Audio CD)

Mehdi Zannad, a gifted French multi-instrumentalist, leads Fugu. Full of
archetypal pop references and sweeping shots of symphonic wonder, Fugu 1 is
a proverbial sound maze where each instrument deftly follows it's
predetermined path. The little untitled piece opening Fugu 1 - a blend of
piano intermingling with a series of minor and major chords, a cello, a
trumpet, an organ, a splash of ocean for sonic background, a dusting of
kitchen noises, and a dry, soft bass line weaving a spider web - sets the
tone for the entire album. Wander between vivid strings, woodwind, brass
and choir; follow the harpsichords surrounding Mehdi Zannad's fragile
voice, so shy that it blends in with the surrounding soundscapes. This is
lush pop - orchestral, continental, and classic - mining touchstones from
The Beatles, Beach Boys, and Harry Nilsson to early-Stereolab and The
Apples In Stereo. But Mehdi is no mere retro-worshipping revisionist,
Fugu's approach results in exuberant, melodic music as relevant as the air
shimmering with Fugu's music from your speakers to your ears. Even
Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier brings her talents to the party, lending her
soothing vocals to the hypnotic pop hymn "Sol Y Sombra."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fluffy Baroque Pop, October 4, 2003

By 

Wickerlove "Wickerlove" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fugu 1 (Audio CD)

If there's anything that can be described as 'fluffy baroque pop', Fugu 1 might be it. At first, it sounded like late Stereolab meeting 'Pet Sounds' era Beach Boys. But upon listening to it further, it's basically a mix of sweet 60's pop, lush melodies, with baroque-style instruments, eg, harpsichords and strings. Fugu's vocals (shades of Gilbert O Sullivan) is accompanied by delicate candy-coated music, that soothes but has enough bite to it as the sametime. It almost as if Fugu may have gone to the Sean O'Hagan or Brian Wilson school of music, yet has a degree in Medieval or Baroque history. A tad thin on range, Fugu 1 gradually becomes tiresome, but this 'period piece pop' is interesting enough where it might be worth a listen.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply faboo, September 25, 2001

By 

Tarkus - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fugu 1 (Audio CD)

I don't think the power of my prose could match that of our fellow pop fan in NYC, but I will definitely second the notion that 'Fugu 1' is a wonderful piece of contemporary post-orch. Fans of 'Pet Sounds,' the High Llamas, Nilsson, Stereolab (they're touring together this fall!), Katerine, Emitt Rhodes, and any other bit of well-crafted pop should appreciate 'Fugu 1'. It's a great summer-time, roll the windows down and drive kind of album. Too bad summer's coming to a close, but you do have a few good weeks in the sun with this disc. Hop to it!