Customer Reviews

The No Comprendo

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

New Wave got brainless pretty fast, probably as soon as many bands started to smell the money. These guys never lost their weird and wonderful edge while at the same time stayed pop and listenable. The only thing that held them back from canonization in this country were the French lyrics. Too bad, it adds to the charm of the music. This is one of the best albums of that era and their earlier self-titled offering is even better. Way too many catchy tunes with great twists and hooks. Catherine Ringer was one of the best pop vocalists of that time with a crazy flexible voice. Style wise not exactly Lene Lovich but in the same class.

(Oh God, I hope we haven't forgotten about Lene Lovich!)

[Months later]

Yikes! 0 of 1 people found the following review helpful Hmm, what did I do wrong? I said "New Wave." They're "edgier" but "listenable" (well, not my exact words). They sing in French and any sane human hates that. I dunno. OK. let me try again with a more literal approach. The first song starts out bim bim...bimbimbim..babim on the bass and then after three bars this wobbly sort-of guitar fades in and then drums, maybe synth drums I'm not sure, and two bars later...

Oh Jeebers, this'll take days!

How about this:

The first track lasts exactly 4 minutes and 13 seconds and that sure seemed exactly right to me! I love tracks that are 4 minutes and 13 seconds long! They make me happy and I'm sure as salt they'll make you happy too. Buy this CD!

Now that's being helpful!

It was at the late, lamented Exit in Chicago that I first heard Les Rita Mitsouko.

Somewhere between the Danielle Dax and the Nitzer Ebb and the James Brown and the Revolting Cocks, I was swept up in the dizzying howl of a strident female voice and a blistering guitar. It was backed by a pounding bass and drum, and it was irresistible.

I had no idea what this woman and her male companion were singing about so urgently, but it was exhilarating. It was wild, and it was hot. Sometimes, it's not what you say, but how you say it. And even without translation, I knew: "It is this".

The rest of the album comes highly recommended as well, and if you're motivated, seek out the vinyl 12" of "C'est Comme Ca": Virgin 7 96768-0 (1987). It's what that unnamed DJ played all those years ago, and I still have the blisters to prove it.

I had stumbled upon the vinyl album of "No Comprendo" back in the day when CDs were barely a blip on the musi-tech monitor (~ 1987). Back then, I had just gotten back from visiting France, and I was seriously craving sounds that were simply not a part of the local aural tradition. I had been overdosing on Indochine, and needed something edgier, more raucous, less bubble-gum.

Enter Les Rita Mitsouko's "No Comprendo," and my life hasn't been the same since. The hard-edged music still holds up, even after the blessed departure of grunge, and Catherine Ringer's voice was as multifaceted then as it is now. After all this time, "Les Histoires d'A" is still my favorite on the album because it really showcases her beautifully flexible and emotive voice. Bjork, watch out.

"Music Fan from France" is right. One of their best albums, if not the best. A huge success in France back in 1986. A mix of Dance, Funk, Punk, Alternative and Latin music. You are a fan of the band and you do not have this album, go get it NOW! You do not know Les Rita Mitsouko but like good music, this album might be for you. BUY IT!

This is the Ritas' masterpiece for sure although 'Marc & Robert' is a close second.

I hail from France but have been living in the U.S. for 10 years and I have introduced this band to countless friends and acquaintances. This is frog delicacy!

Had they been born here or in the U.K they would have hit it really, really big.

Fred Chichin's music is witty, powerful and inspired (try to stay put when you play "C'est comme ca"...). Catherine Ringer's lyrics are spooky and her voice is stageworthy.

Sadly Fred died of cancer early last year. I already miss him. R.I.P.

I came across the music of Les Rita Mitsouko from watching a french tv series called Clara Sheller on YouTube. I bought this cd because it wasn't available on I tunes. I fell in love with one of the songs on this album Soir un Chen track # 7. That was featured on the show.

Great price on this imported CD and it arrived early. What more can you ask for!

I live in Europe and couldn't find a copy of this CD here ... happy to find and order in the US with speedy delivery. No regrets. One of the best ideas I've had in a long time: a +20 year old cd that still has the magic.

Track Listings

1. Histoires d'A.

2. Andy

3. Someone to Love

4. Comme Ca

5. Vol de Nuit

6. Stupid Anyway

7. Soir, un Chien

8. Bad Days

9. Tonite

10. Nuit d'Ivresse

I love love love this album. I had it on tape when I was a wee teenager and danced around my room singing to "Andy." Now I own it on c.d. and it is just as good--and I still dance around to "Andy." And, they are still popular in France! I was there last New Years and I heard Histoire d'A in a bar. I highly recommend this for any French Pop enthusiast--you will not be disappointed.