Customer Reviews

Puzzle

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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 naïve 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."

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

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!

Great album for fans of Air, Cardigans, Belle & Sebastian, great pop hooks and The Kinks. This is the Japanese version, but the Minty Fresh version contains the video playable on PC/Mac and contains a bonus remix of "revolution 80" not available on this Japanese CD.

This is definitely my favorite album of this year so far. Reminds me of the Cardigans in several places, and there are influences from the Beatles and the Kinks. Xavier has a great voice and delivers the lyrics effortlessly. I love how they combine traditional arrangements and instruments with electronic sounds to create a completely original sound. There are sublime string and horn parts and tunes that will be running through your head for days. Ignore the bad reviews; they just have no taste in music. Take my advice, you won't be disappointed.

This record is great. It's that perfect blend of 80s pop and modern sensibilities. It's layered with just the right balance retro synth sounds, live instrumentation, drum loops, compelling vocals and accessible lyrics that only the French seem to be able to do it. In the tradition of MOON SAFARI, PUZZLE is carefree and mysterious all at the same time. But the hooks - the hooks are sooooo catchy - you'll be singing along in no time. The band also gives an incredible live performance (I saw them at the Bowery Ballroom last month). HEARTBEAT is the radio single, but my favourite is YELLOW BUTTERFLY. I love this record.

Tahiti 80 have fashioned the debut album of the year. Forget all the hype about Coldplay and Travis. This is where its at. Granted they are from France not England, but they are one of the few rock-pop bands that is not currently ripping off "The Bends" era Radiohead. This album is fresh and breezy, a lovenote to late 60's/early 70's era songwriting, and that meakes it a welcome rarity today.

The album gets of to a low key start with "Yellow Butterfly", but the song picks up at about the one minute mark with a sped up march of a drum beat. Xavier Boyer's voice has a nice range especially when he breaks from his whisper singing. It't not that his singing voice is bad, its just that he has interesting textures else when in his vocal range. "I.S.S.A.C." has a nice rolling bass line that blends nicely with the crackerjack drums. "Heartbeak" needs to be a single. The disco beat and keyboards wash over like warm sun rays, as the juicy guitar hook lodges itself in your head. "Mr. Davies" is a nice little acoustic exercise that may or not be about The Kinks' Ray Davies. The sweet guitars and strings on "Swimming Suit" interweave with horns to form a perfect summertime song. "Hey Joe" is not a Hendrix cover, but a poppy little rave up that has a few choice blues based guitar riffs. The jangle pop of "Puzzle" has a forlorn quality as Boyer sings over churning guitars that he's "not the only one to feel that emptiness."

In todays musical climate it is rare that one hears a band who sounds like they are excited to pick up their insruments. There is a rift between happy music and artistic music, most bands feel that to be taken seriously they have to be 'dark', and whatever is not heavy or dark must be Britney Spears. The Beatles are considered the best band of all time, but some of their biggest triumphs were songs of joy. Tahiti 80 are just beginning, but this album is like a ray of light on a cloudy music scene. It has also been said that Tahiti 80 borrow too liberally from music from decades past, but their music is not just hipster posturing, its genuine. "Puzzle" is a great place for a band to start. Enjoy!

If you are a fan of innovative modern pop, like the Cardigans, Stereolab, Wannadies, Air... etc. then trust me, you need to have this album.

Tahiti 80'singer/songriterhas a very intriguing, smooth, doubled vocal sound and a great accent. 4 or 5 of the songs on this record have such a great sound and groove that I can't listen to them engouh, very innovative. Although a few of the albums tracks are a little too "pop" for my tastes (almost a venture into the lite-emo world), the album as a whole is amazing. Listen to the samples for yourself! It wouldn't surprise me if this group's single "heartbeat" even makes it to mainstream American top 40 charts. Great sound, great record.

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 naïve 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."

Other than some great music, which I'll let everyone else rant about, there is a special section of the cd. Pop it into your computer and you can see the video for Heartbeat and enjoy some more of the art in the album. If you were thinking about downloading the whole CD, think again because the little extras on this one are worth a few bucks, plus it's fun to show off to friends.