Mes Courants Electriques [Limited Edition]

Alizee | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 22, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Musicrama/Koch
• ASIN: B0000DESZC
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,411,815 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. J'En Ai Marre !

2. A Contre-Courant

3. Toc de Mac

4. Amélie M'A Dit

5. C'est Trop Tard

6. Tempête

7. J'Ai Pas Vingt Ans !

8. Hey ! Amigo !

9. L' E-Mail a des Ailes

10. Youpidou

11. Coeur Déjà Pris

Editorial Reviews

Sophomore album for the French teen pop-star. This Asian edition adds one exclusive bonus track 'Moi...Lolita' & a bonus VCD with two tracks, 'Moi...Lolita' & 'I'm Fed Up'. Also included is a 5 inch mousepad with Alizee's photo plus 5 postcard size picture cards. Standard jewel case & slimline jewel case housed in a slipcase. Universal. 2003. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Mature Than Debut... A Very Opinionated Commentary, May 13, 2003

By 

Mark Freedman (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mes Courants Electriques (Audio CD)

I disagree somewhat with the other reviews here so far. I consider Alizée's new album not only better than her first, but it is my favorite of 2003 so far, with Fleetwood Mac's amazing comeback second best of the year.

I was very lucky to find out about her, quite accidentally last year, when I was introduced to her first amazing album. Although her material is really a product of Mylene Farmer and Laurent Boutonnat, it's Alizée's delivery and tremendous voice that makes the music fly. She's a natural, and displays a tremendous amount of charisma.

This album is definitely more mature than her first, and I think that Mylene made a terrific conscious effort to ensure that the music grows with her. These songs stick in your head and heart and never, ever let go. Although I cannot understand a word she is singing, the raw emotion that comes through in songs like "A Contre-Courant" and "J'ai Pas Vingt Ans" is so real.

I got the French import, and have heard the English version of some of the tracks since then, but, although I find the English translations interesting, and I'm glad a direct translation wasn't done, I do prefer the French versions. And although I don't understand it, French fits her performances so much better. It's a more beautiful language than my native English :) Besides, some of the English lyrics border on the absurd -- not most, but a few. Slang used maybe 20-25 years ago in America, and snickered at now -- I mean "boogy-woogy"??? I recommend passing these English versions across someone well versed in the target culture beforehand next time. Despite this, I'm still glad for a non-direct translation.

Now I'm not sure if an American audience exposure was targeted at this time, especially in light of some anti-French sentiments over certain current world events, but ultimately I believe that Alizée could become huge worldwide, including the USA. I have a few reservations, though, about how successful that will be if her mentors continue on the career path they seem to be taking. This is a message to her management team (not that they would ever read this, nor care to):

1) Drop the "French Britney" image, and FAST. Alizée's beauty can stand on its own, without some of the cheesy ways they are presenting her. Yes, I know she's a product of France, and I know the pop music styles in France are still closer to the cheesy 80's of America, but if they want her to become huge worldwide, please realize that people see right through this, at least in my country, and Alizée will just end up as "flavor of the week" if this continues.

2) Take advantage of the charisma factor here. Alizée is that rare performer, who has the potential to connect with her audience at live performances -- IF she is allowed to sing WITHOUT the cheesy (there, I said it again) lip-synch! Now I know she can sing live -- I saw a "Top of the Pops" performance of hers, and she can handle singing live rather well. Let her develop her stage presence, and take advantage of her natural talent, charm, and charisma to connect with her audience. There is a hell of a lot going for her in many ways. Don't stunt the growth of a potential universally huge star. Maybe this will give her enough confidence to start co-writing her own material, unless Mylene and Laurent's intention is to use her as a meal ticket. I'm sure that's not true, since Mylene is a star in her own right. But just in case...

Ok, off my arrogant soapbox ;) Back to the review.

I HIGHLY recommend this album. It is awesome! I hope to see Alizée's success reach worldwide.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mes Courants Electriques, February 17, 2004

By 

C. A. Gordon (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mes Courants Electriques (Audio CD)

It's certainly not another Gourmandises (because who really needs two CDs that basically copy each other?), but Mes Courants Electriques follows a natural artistic progression. There is more of Alizee's personality in the music on this latest CD, including more guitar. She's taken a step forward from Gourmandises, still appealing to the masses but distinguishing herself from her counterparts like Lorie. She was a standout in the pop scene with Gourmandises, and with Mes Courants Electriques, Alizee has proven her durability and flexibility.

She pours emotion into every song, just like on Gourmandises, which continues to allow the non-French speaking fans such as myself to get involved in the music and really understand it without even knowing what she's saying. Her voice is still as pure as when she was first released 4 years ago, and her voice still has the ability to enthrall and sooth you, as well as making you want to get up and dance.

The four English translations (I'm Fed Up, Amelie, I'm Not Twenty, and Youpidoo) on this version of Mes Courants Electriques are good, though not nearly as magnificent as the French versions. Alizee's English is actually quite good, especially compared to other artists whose first language was not English, and I like the effort she has put in. That said, the English versions lack some of the luster of the French songs, and while good, Alizee is somewhat hard to understand. I highly recommend listening to the English translations, despite all this, especially if you have trouble singing along to the French. ;)

Now, for the meat of the album. The French songs positively radiant talent and emotion. I prefer the ballads on Mes Courants Electriques over the ones on Gourmandises; they sound less manufactured and more emotional. The more upbeat songs practically scream for you to get up and dance, or, if you're in the car, to turn the stereo up as loud as you can stand. Jen Ai Marre and Cest Trop Tard are two of my favorites. Alizee has definitely grown on this album, and the wide range of styles, vocal techniques, and songs on Mes Courants Electriques is proof of this.

Mes Courants Electriques is a must-have CD, regardless of whether you speak French or not. Well worth the money and the wait for it to arrive. Trust me, you'll be checking your mailbox obsessively until it arrives!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thumbs up, March 14, 2005

By 

Bao Viet Nguyen (Montréal, Québec) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mes Courants Electriques (Audio CD)

Better than her first CD.
Note that the VCD bundled with this version is actually a data cd that will play on your computer but not on a real VCD or DVD player.