“pop_romantique”
Pop Romantique
Various Francophiles
March
A collection of French pop music, interpreted by mostly non-French bands. I’ll be danged if I can recognize a single one of these gems, yet the intent is clear, and the sound is tres continental. The roster is all-star to say the least: the Hang-Ups, Ivy, Luna. Air, Apples In Stereo, Lloyd Cole, Heavenly (!), Godzuki, John Wesley Harding, Sukia, Magnetic Fields and the Ladybug Transistor – for the most part, a listing of some of my all-time favorites. And though the music and lyrics here are decidedly French, the overall effect is far more universal, bringing a completely different sensibility to the sounds these artists have developed over their careers. Fully four tracks on here are penned by French Pop Godfather Serge Gainsbourg, while Bob Dylan appears to be the only non-French composer, albeit “Si Tu Dois Partir” as performed by Lloyd Cole has more French than Minnesottan to it. Quelle blast!
March Records, 51 Main Street, Hastings On Hudson, NY 10706; http://www.marchrecords.com
