Customer Reviews

My Melody

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

 

 

A Berlin-based band, somewhere in the Trio, Young Marble Giants range of things. Sort of Beat Happening innocent. But better & more fun than all those bands. Francoise sings songs like "Moviestar" and "I love you Ringo" in French, German, & English, and Brezel's faux-baritone is reminiscent of Calvin from BH or a post-ironic german Johnny Cash. This Cd ranks up there with the Subsonics "Everything's Falling Apart", Tindersticks "Curtains", and so on, as one of the few genuinely original, highly listenable, and completely embraceable albums of the last few years. Great for parties, despite everything I said above. More punk, less arty than Kahima Karie, Momus, Pizzicato Five, etc. More substance than Valerie Lemercier. Great live show, not-to-be-missed. Hope that helps.

This band is a mix of French and Germans, who sing in five different langauges. Their first record was quirky and decadent, and very over the top. My Melody relies on more subtlety within the band and more cover versions, especially heavy on the Serge Gainsbourg influence. Lead singer, Françoise Cactus is slowly becoming a legend in the international moogcore jetset pantheon. "Discjockey" is a danceable song which sound more like the first record, but most of this one is more torch and tragic. For the fans of François Hardy and Gainsbourg, this one is for you. Many club people who live for dressing up retro and fuzzy can't seem to get enough of Stereo Total.

(www.freewilliamsburg.com)

This album is more refined than their previous album. Almost all of the songs here are well done, and catchy. Some of my favorites are "Plötzlich ist alles anders" and "Vilaines filles, mauvais garçons." To someone not familiar with Stereo Total, their sound is quite unusual, though their use of weird samples is minimal on this album. Also, like their previous album, they have cover songs, such as "Tu peux conduire ma bagnole," a cover of the Beatle's "Drive My Car" (Rubber Soul), but faster paced and more frentic. Overall, there aren't many bombs on this album, and it's a fun album to listen to.

On the first listen, I felt assaulted by a raucous, rank amatuerism. But by the third spin, I was absolutely won over by the goofy insouciance of the band (not to mention the multi-ligualism--they make German fun!). A love for pop music oozes from the album, and the band's joy is infectious. Turn it up and let yourself go.

Stereo Total (To-tAl) definitely have their references in check. This band is exists on 1960s French Film music, Serge Gainsbourg, and probably about a thousand others I don't know about. There is even an extremely electrically souped up version of the Beatles "Drive My Car."


And electronic soup is the order of the day for Stereo Total. This music processed to the hilt through filters, modern drum machines, and vocal flangers. You will never mistake any of this for the genuine 60s article.

Overall, this is a lot of fun: but Stereo Total are not as inventive, as say Stereolab or the High Llamas. Total modernizes the recording process of their sources, but are not interested in composing suites or adding fresh ideas.

All of which is just fine if you are not looking for the invention of Lab or Llamas. Taking a little trip with Stereo Total may be light, but you gotta enjoy the breeze, sometimes

Although this album is by No means flawless, it certainly has it's moments. 'I love you,ono' and the cover of Pizzicato Fives'Mon Amour Tokyo' are by far the two best tracks on the album. Sloppy at times, but if yo're a fan of french music, give it a try!