Customer Reviews

Immobile

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a both a delicately and beautifully crafted album by the fabulous Autour de Lucie fronted by the sublime Valerie Leulliot whose angelic dreamy vocals simply melt the cold English heart.
Although ADL sing in French they are difficult to categorize as just French pop since the influences range from classic French 60s pop (Francoise Hardy) to contemporary indie-dance such as Saint Etienne (cf. 'Chanson sans issue'), as well as shoegazing/4AD (cf. the colossal rock beast of 'La verite' and the spooky Cocteauseque 'L'eau qui dort'). Words can not suffice to describe the sheer Gallic elegance and eloquence of Valerie's French indie-dream-pop machine. Viva la revolution!

I'm really into French language music and I'm quite familiar with all the different styles: Québécois/French Canadian, French and Belgian. Autour de Lucie fits into the French category like a glove. Musically, the band has grown since it's first album (which is wonderful). But Autour de Lucie is nothing unique when compared to heaps of other French bands; they all seem to rather indifferent about what they sing, seeming at times to not believe or care what they are singing about (a sort of nonchanlance). Regardeless, Autour de Lucie is a band with talent who should be praised for their wonderful texts... But don't rely on the translations found on the net, in my opinion they are lacking and they deviate (a lot at times) from the meaning of the song. There are quite a number of great songs on this album, especially 'Je vous ai tué ce matin', 'Les promesses', 'Chanson sans issue'. If you want to experience a taste of French music, this is a good band to start with. A few other wonderful French-language artists I strongly suggest are Canada's Daniel Bélanger & Catherine Durand, Belgian's Axelle Red & Louise Attaque and France's Zazie & Fracis Cabrel.

This album is one of my top 10 favorite records(I have approx. 100 cds).In fact the fact that it's French is not very important:ADL is just a very good band,and for me,Immobile is their best album.This record has everything:beautiful melodies,great guitar parts and the gorgeous voice of Valerie Leulliot.It sounds a little bit more Rock than the first album... It's difficult to describe music;all I can say is that if you like the Smith,Radiohead(The bends),or REM(UP) you'll probably love this album. Me,the more I listen to it,the more I like it!Buy it you won't regret it! ...

I'm a raving fan of Autour de Lucie. _Immobile_ is a much tighter albumn than their debut album, _L'echapee belle_, which is equally as listenable for the non-French speaker. Although Auteur de Lucie has recently become more popular in America since touring on the Lilith Fair ("Sur tes pas" is one of the songs on the Lilith Fair album), I can assure you that they've always been this good. Clean lyrics, catchy melodies, addictive rhythms dress a colorful array of subjects. Subjects range from unrequited love (from "Sur tes pas"/"On your trail": "Je t'ai suivi du regard, meme si ca ne suffit pas/Il me reste un espoir mais tu ne te retournes pas"/"I followed your glance, even if it wasn't enough/Hope's left but you will not be back.") to the existential (from "Les Promesses"/"Promises": "Si les mots ne sont pas/Le reflet de nos pensees/Ne saura-t'on jamais s'empecher/de les laisser nous emporter?/Ou vont les promesses/Que l'on croit tenir?"/"If words are not/the relection of our thoughts/You would know never to hinder/letting us borrow them/where are the promises/we can believe in? Hey they're French after all! Autour de Lucie is perhaps the most accessible French band in a long, long time. Get this album!!

There is French music and there is Autour de Lucie. Do NOT confuse the two. It's shocking that something this fresh, original, soulful, and at times, gritty, has come from the same country that made Johnny Hallyday a star...but it did. The songs are well-written, the lyrics (if you understand French) are intelligent, and the arrangements are tight and punchy. If you like indie or alternative or if you are just open-minded, give this album a go. It's my favourite of the three.

This album's lyrics are 100% in French. If you understand French, well then I can not guarantee the accuraccy of my review. If however you know zero-to-verylittle Frances, then this is a masterpeice in which a rainy day becomes the tunnel between dreams and reality. Her(I do not recall her name) voice is so at peace with the music that lays in and around it. Every track is equally beautiful to the next and the previous, while having its' own purpose. This album is as great to end a day with as it is to wake up to. I will certainly agree that the French do not "rock", but they seem to "lull" very well.

Another great collection of tunes from Autour De Lucie.
Beautiful stuff!

This band is incredible and breaks the stereotype of "European" music. This CD is very original, poppy, and eclectic. The music is, as others have said, universal. It helps to know a little French, however. The first track is excellent as well as "Immobile" and "L'eau qu'il Dort."

A good, solid album. The lyrics are in French, mais il ne faut pas parler français pour l'aimer. They sound a bit like Dolly, another French group. There isn't any one song that stands out, but the entire disk is well worth a listen -- it all hangs together very nicely.

Similar to Evanescence, Autour De Lucie offers captivating melodies wrapped up with ethereal vocals. It is more than likely you will be addicted to the tunes of this record regardless of your familiarity level with the French language.

I personally like every single track on this album. I haven't listened to it enough to have favorites, but one thing for sure is that this album in its entirety is definitely one of my all time favorite albums.

Take the plunge into French Pop with Autour De Lucie. You will be glad you did.