Customer Reviews

L'Homme a Tete De Chou

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

 

 

This is another classic album from Serge from around the time when he was really doing his best and most challenging work. However, I would definitely not recommend this as a starting point to get into Serge's work since it is probably his most difficult album and is less immediately satisfying than many of his other albums. Melody Nelson is still the best place to start if you are curious about Serge because it is simultaneously his best and most accessible album. If you have heard some of his other stuff though, you are more likely to 'get' this album and not dismiss it after a couple of listens. Definitely his most 'prog rock' album, a very weird listening experience indeed (and the 2 or 3 spoken word interludes over minimal music are kind of frustrating for non-French speakers like myself!). On a side note, I would disagree with the previous reviewer who says that his is his most 'pimpy and 'swanky' album, in many ways it is the album that is least in that sleazy vein, since it is just so odd. If you really want a CD that conjures up images of Serge sitting on a red velvet couch smoking a pipe Hugh Hefner style, listen to Vu De L'Exterieur instead. That's Serge at his pimpin' best!

SERGE GAINSBOURG has never been better in establish a concept thematicelly in terms of words and music.Each piece of this wonderful opus has a musical setting that is coherent in it's ensemble.32 minutes of pure joy and delight.The famous GAINSBOURG talking voice over was of course used before in recordings like JE T'AIME MOI NON PLUS,INITIALES BB and the previous concept album HISTOIRE DE MÉLODY NELSON,but never with that panache with the lyrics.VARIATIONS SUR MARILOU can résume GAINSBOURG's whole catalogue of themes and obsessions.Sit down,forget your presomptions about the often called dirty man of FRENCH music and listen to signifiant music by a creatively inspired artist.If you are wondering about the meaning of the lyrics of VARIATIONS SUR MARILOU,it's actually about woman masturbation.No kidding here,just the truth.

Serge Gainsbourg has many styles, this album represents his most pimpy and swanky of those styles. His voice is laid just so lightly over electric guitars and he sounds as if he is sitting in a dark room on a red velvet couch smoking a pipe, Hugh Hefner style. This is a truly great Serge album that is harder to find than most of his other works and is not to be missed.

I love this album. Some of the tinkling bells is a bit dated, but the rest is genius.

Having been on a Serge kick as of late, I just picked up the recent vinyl edition of L'Homme a Tete De Chou from the 4 men with beards label. It is a faithful repress on 180 gram vinyl with original french lyric sheet. While I do not speak French, it is nice to follow along; I find it easier to pick out phrases and can actually pick up on much of the meaning.
On to the music:
This is a cool, cool record and very different in scope from other Gainsbourg records. While Rock Around the Bunker, Aux Armes Et Cetera, Melody Nelson, and earlier works are full of hooks and have an immediacy to them, L'Homme offers a darker and much more sinister atmosphere. It is full of rhythmic beats (almost like Neu! or CAN), Synthesizer, and the signature Gainsbourg whisper. Serge rarely breaks into singing on this record, he mostly stands back and narrates. After a few listens, L'Homme reveals itself as a complex and intensely satisfying record, full of sonic experimentation and mood swings but do NOT expect a light, swinging and feel-good recording. (At the same time, L'Homme is very listenable).
L'Homme a Tete De Chou reveals a deeper side of Gainsbourg's recordings that have been difficult to find and are often overlooked in America. A great listen from a musical mastermind. Highly recommended.

Ok, this album caught me off guard. This is one strange, beautiful and amazing piece of music. Let go as Monsieur Gainsbourg takes you by the hand and walks you through the twisted halls and rooms of his mansion of love. Spooky and exhilarating. Sometimes boardering on strange halloweenish music. Lamenting sappy piano song turned honky tonk break down. Capitan Cook R and B weirdness. Styles and forms of music that would usually not do me right, make me beg for more. Totally moving and manic. Who else can talk through basically an entire album and make it sound this great? I know who can, S.G. can. I love this. This seals my Gainsbourg fanaticism. I'm a Serge addict. Please help yourself and get this.