Album: Paris In April
Year: 1996
Label: Sympathy For The Record Industry
Producer: Elinor Blake (artist)
Best song: "Chick Habit" OR "Poor Lola"
First album with english counterparts and extras appended.
This is April's first EP, Chick Habit, compiled and reissued with the six best tracks re-recorded and the lyrics re-sung in english. The album is mostly a barrage of insanely catchy hooks, delicately sung verses, and a sort of surf-ish lead guitar mixed in very high. Some Serge Gainsbourg songs receive brilliant cover versions, the best of the bunch being "Laisse Tomber les Filles" (a/k/a "Chick Habit"). Some more somber acoustic-ish moments pop up with surprsingly great results on "La Chanson de Prevert." The instrumental backing takes on a cool retro feel the way the guitars are mixed into the more upbeat tracks. The band consisted of two members of one of April's previous band, The Shitbirds, but even proto-punk hero Jonathan Richman stops by to join in on the fun. Overall, this is her catchiest and most concise record (also her shortest, clocking in at just under 35 minutes) so for fans with a short attention span, this is recommended.
~Austin
SLIGHT ERRATA ABOUT CHICK HABIT...
Chick Habit (now out of print) actually had three songs which Paris in April did not carry over. They are: "Deux Garçons Pour Une Fille," "Caribou" and "Cet Air-la." Shame too, as they are all pretty fantas-great. Especially "Cet Air-la" which is a cover of a France Gall song. Practically the only thing it has in common with France's original recording is the melody and lyrics. Ms. Blake not only outdid the original but brilliantly took a wild, rousing song and turned it into her single best and most affecting ballad and of her very best songs. Not to worry though, the songs are readily available for download on iTunes (and well worth the three dollars) and if you haven't picked up Paris in April yet, it's not like used copies of Chick Habit are ultra rare.
Album: April March And Los Cincos
Year: 1998
Label: Sympathy For The Record Industry
Producer: Elinor Blake (artist)
Best song: "Olive Green Dictionary" OR "The Moon Is Blue"
A soundtrack for your dreams.
Some people might wonder where the French pop has gone after listening to this album (only one song, "Bébert," is sung in French). But for those who overlook that and take some time to let this album sink in will find a work of melodic and emotional diversity usually not found on March's recordings. Two songs ("Olive Green Dictionary" and "Bébert") end in a couple minutes worth of Brian Eno-esque spacious ambience. But not all the credit is due to March only. Garage rockers Los Cincos contribute the unique and lush instrumental backings, really giving the album its defining sound. From the opening surf guitar phrases on "Theme For The Lime Cafe" through the melancholy Cure-ish licks on "Olive Green Dictionary" up until the lyrically beautiful violin on the "Last Train To Christmas Reprise," the sounds created are amongst some of the dreamiest recordings I can recall. While it is a change for April March, it's a welcome one after hearing the results.
~Austin
Album: Chrominance Decoder
Year: 1999
Label: Ideal
Producer: Bertrand Burgalat
Best song: "Nothing New" OR "Martine"
A new producer, a new label and a return to form.
Released on the Dust Brothers label, Ideal, in 1999, Chrominance Decoder is April March's most perfect realization of the French pop to which she is so faithfully devoted. The Dust Brothers lend a few production hands, but for remixes only. Their remixes are worthy, great in fact. But it's the new found collaboration with Bertrand Burgalat that helps April make the transition back into French pop such a success. His production is lush and intricate, a perfect match for March's vocals. And there are numerous, almost countless catchy numbers included in the set. "Garcon Glacon" (a/k/a "Nothing New") is a brilliant mid tempo, keyboard driven number that at once showcases April March's perfect voice and her knack for writing irresistable tunes. But the real surpriser here are the ballads. In particular, the tracks "Mickey Et Chantal" and especially "Martine" showcase just how captivating March's voice is. While the record is maybe a tad bit overlong (you get three renditions of "Nothing New," two of them back to back), that's a minor flaw in otherwise very solid recording. And it's a fine return to her roots.
~Austin
Album: Triggers
Year: 2003
Label: Pias/Tricatel
Producer: Bertrand Burgalat
Best song: "Somewhere Up Above" OR "The Life of the Party
I'll take an April March. Electronica version, please.
Waiting the longest she ever has between recordings for her 2003 album, Triggers, April March returned with the same producer that helped out on her previous album, 1999's Chrominance Decoder. Things have gone and gotten interesting this time around. Not that the last album wasn't interesting, it was, it just seemed like the French pop aspect of it was being purposely exploited (perhaps on purpose). April March once again proves she is completely unpredictable with this album as it finds her taking on the role of a French singing dance instigator. Musically, the album is very electronic (and trip hopish on the slower tracks, like Portishead for happy people or something). Many of the French pop aspects are still in place, the music is what's so different here. The drums on some tracks hit so hard, they seem more likely to have been used by someone like Pete Rock. The music created is lush and intricate, relying on effects heavy keyboards, funky basslines, and more-often-than-not light guitar lines (but "Somewhere Up Above" uses a heavy fuzz distortion on the chorus). The album is an interesting and completely unexpected twist. And yet another installment in a string of seemingly endless style experimentations. Anyone care to dance?
~Austin
This page is nothing new, take me back to the main reviews page.
