Customer Reviews

Socialisme Ou Barbarie

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

 

 

I liked this CD and am gald these songs are not on a Stereolab album where they might have been asked to carry a bit more weight or fit into a concept, mood or sound; here the songs are like little clockwork animations that are wound up and allowed to run around on the tabletop in their own safe place. The sound palette is similar to Stereolab's earlier albums but lighter on drums and guitars. There is an intimate feel to the vocals and the production has preserved the bedroom 4-track feel to great effect. It's like being invited to tea at Laetitia's house for tea rather than going to a concert.

My favorite tracks are Cache Cache, Witch Hazel and Vol de Jour (which tells the story of a versatile cardboard box).

The album is made up of songs that Laetitia was doing on the side from 1996 to 2002 and you can sense the degree of nurturing that has gone into each 'cos they just grow on you more and more in the most gorgeously subtle way. It's a lot more chilled than Stereolab and there's more French vox but it's just as full of weird sounds, hooky melodies and avant garde atmospheres - buy it now, you won't regret it!

I love this cd and here's why -- you don't really NEED to know French to enjoy it. The vocals are so haunting and heartbreaking in some tracks and so uplifting in others that the language is practically universal. Je l'aime! I also love how low key and experimental it is. I have never really listened to French pop, but if all of it is this superb, I want to kick myself for listening to all the other crap that's been polluting my ears. Good job, Monade... I hope you come out with more music soon!

i would agree perfectly with the previous reviewer, but to understand the thoughtful lyrics offers an ultra-bonus! its wonderful to discover an album with a honest purpose, and to reiterate the last review, that is beautiful. break out the french manuals for an extra star.

as a functional review for browsers: if you appreciate stereolab, this album is complementary in many regards.