Band a part (Nouvelle Vague, 2004) June 22, 2007
Posted by mrspeel in : Music , trackback
My recent musical infatuation is with the French band, Nouvelle Vague, a French bossa nova group that covers various pop hits from the 1980s. They have a fresh and playful sound that is reminescent of the new wave French films they are homaging. Unlike many cover songs, they don’t try to replicate the sound or feel of the songs, but put an entirely different feel to everything. All their covers have a dinstinct and identifyable sound that while widely accessible is not quite mainstream. The only major critisism I can pin down to is their music lacks a level of complexity or a real edge. Some of their songs fade far too easily in the background, and don’t take the forefront as a focal point. However, songs like Dance with Me or Bela Lugosi is Dead, are not only incredibly catchy but seem to invade your whole being. When they’re at their best, their music is possesive and totally encompassing. There is something infectious about their music, and on a semi-popular youtube clip a user matched Dance with me with the cafe dance from Band a Part, and again you’re reminded of the youthful enthousiasm of Godard’s or Truffaut’s films that they’ve managed to channel through their music.
Although I’ve heard one or two of their songs from their first album (I love Too Drunk to Fuck), this is really my first venture into their music. As I mentioned, I don’t think they’re as of yet at the top of their game. Some of their songs and music is too passive, something like chic elevator music… still I can’t wait to see what they can come up with next, because their sound can be exciting. This is how cover music should be done.
8/10
* I got the photo of the band in performance from this amazing new blog I just discovered, you anglophones don’t be discouraged by the lack of English because there are some absolutely stunning photography. I’m posting the link here, but I’ll also add it to my blogroll.
http://www.nopsir.org/index.php/2006/06
Comments»
argg the blog layout cut the fingers !!!
Nouvelle Vague is indeed a good band. I’ve seen them twice in Los Angeles. Once before Dead Can Dance at the Hollywood Bowl and another time in a little morrocan club named Tangier in the Loz Feliz area. I took this photo at Tangier.
Cheers
I’ll reformat the picture to include it all, I can understand the frustration of seeing your work cut to pieces.
I’ve yet to see them live, but I hope they pop up in Montreal soon so I can get the chance.