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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An innocently beautiful summer album, July 26, 2000
This review is from: Puzzle (Audio CD)
Tahiti 80 is sissy French pop crafted in the spirit of the 60's rock icons - like the Kinks and the Zombies - that the band so obviously adores. However, Tahiti 80's undeniable charm emanates from lead singer Xavier Boyer's ability to successfully channel his infectiously innocent intonations - like a naďve version of Nick Drake - through the filters of a second language. I can't imagine an American band using, much less getting away with, a lyric like "I return home with special food for my spirit," but such linguistic solecisms have an unusual appeal in light of the somatic ambience of the accompanying music - which, more accurately, draws from several 70's sonic sources - and its capacity to transport you blissfully into the past. For example, the song "Heartbeat," with its bouncy, almost house-like rhythms, and K.C. and the Sunshine Band-esque vocal hook, is so intoxicating and familiar, you'd swear that you once heard it pumping out of an eight-track from a passing, matte-black Camaro, or perhaps in an American Bandstand-induced dream. In addition, the trumpet provided by Eric Matthews and mixes by Tore Johansson keep the nostalgia flowing through standout tracks "Yellow Butterfly," the ABBA-influenced "I.S.A.A.C" and the title track "Puzzle."
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
5th best record of the decade...It's still the 90's, July 15, 2000
This review is from: Puzzle (Audio CD)
To my taste this album is in a highly elite group of albums to be made in the last ten or so years. Jason Falkner, Spookey Ruben, Divine Comedy, Supergrass, Radiohead, Cardinal...this is the company that I believe Tahiti 80 hang's with. "When the Sun" is one of the best songs of the last 20 years, the strings, Xavior...it is perfect. Speaking of perfect, this album like most is not. There are some 3 or 4 songs that I would rather never hear again but this is a great ratio of failure when the other 7 or so are so great, and in some cases ground breaking. These guys are all under the age of 23 and what has been done on this debut album seems to suggest that there will be far more, far better, far beyond the way I think and listen to music today. I sit like a wolf in wait for a new collection of songs from the greatest band to ever come out of France. a concerned fan
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Music to nourish the soul with, October 29, 2000
This review is from: Puzzle (Audio CD)
I recently purchased this cd after having seen the video for "Heartbeat" on MTV-2. At a time when several of my favorite bands have new releases, I have shelved Fuel & Collective Soul and am unable to stop listening to Tahiti 80. I am very impressed with the unique sound this French quartet has developed. A little bit of 70's mixed in with a refreshing 60's sound, this is a keeper. I doubt this cd will ever be found in a used section at a local music store - it's one of those cd's you'll have to pop in the stereo every once in awhile when you are feeling down, the spirit and sound of this music is uplifting to say the least. Favorite songs on my list would include ISAAC, Mr Davies & the title track, Puzzle. I have found a new "favorite" band of mine!
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