M83

M83 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 6, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B000AA4LNC
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,449 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #45 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Ambient Pop

Editorial Reviews

Double vinyl LP pressing of their 2001 debut album from the French Electronic outfit. Their musical style owes something to the Shoegazing genre in its extensive use of reverb effects and lyrics spoken softly over loud instrumentals, though M83's songs employ considerably less guitar than most Shoegazing bands. 14 tracks. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An acquired taste, December 28, 2005

By 

Tommy M. (Berkeley) - See all my reviews

This review is from: M83 (Audio CD)

This is reportedly a re-release of their first album from 2001, which didn't get very wide distribution at all. It's also a much different beast from Before the Dawn Heals Us. First of all, there are no proper vocals in any of the tracks -- only snippets of dialogue and a computerized voice popping up here and there. Where Before the Dawn felt like a blend of pop rock and retro electro, this veers more towards experimental mood noodling, with the last track clocking in at over seventeen minutes as they meander from one sound scape to another.

There's nothing that feels like a proper song -- which isn't a bad thing necessarily, it's just not nearly as gratifying as Before the Dawn (or Dead Cities, for that matter). They take more stylistic risks with less ambitious instrumentation, but it doesn't have that spacey soulfulness that they've managed to cultivate since this album was recorded. If you simply must have more M83, then you'll probably find something to like here, but don't come crying to me if you feel a little confused and disappointed.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best of Three, March 23, 2006

By 

J. grassa "jgandsg" (Salemi, Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: M83 (Audio CD)

Looking to try out some M83? Try this first. Excellent synth sounds, dreamy rhythms. By far the best of three albums released to date.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars last saturday night at the party kelly, sitting, facing that violet tree, staring at me. I'm getting closer. She stands up.., October 24, 2005

By 

Custard (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: M83 (Audio CD)

M83, the eclectic French group who startled the musical world with its breakthrough album "Dead..," twirl fantastically in this release of early tracks, with less polished and more thought-provoking assaults on pop sensibility. At times nostalgic, at times brilliantly vicious, this album is candy to both the M83 faithful and the uninitiated, those who stumble upon the band in a quest for good computerpop. I cherish "Dead.." as challenging and care about "Before the Dawn," though it's simpler, less melodic and less startling. "M83" is, in my mind, M83's best work.

The songs mount from gently rolling pastoral soundscapes to peaks of ecstasy. Sharp in its audacity and fluent in subtlety, M83 got it right the first time. Expect something philosophical, emotional, raucous, and ultimately uplifting; expect gorgeous epiphanies with hollow, degraded undertones, and piercing thoughts demanding recompense for a life of easy victory as bland as coleslaw. Its "Fitter, Happier" meets Four Tet in a 19th century dive bar. Perfect for a night of bloody knuckled wine drinking by the fireplace.