New Wave

3

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:01:00 +0000

If there’s one word to describe the works of Nouvelle Vague, it's génial. Generally, I don’t trust cover versions. Many of them are an abomination that spits all over the originals, but somehow, the cover band Nouvelle Vague makes me forget that. Yes, that French band that rehashed “Love Will Tear Us Apart” in pure bossa nova sweetness—a complete turnaround from the original melancholic version by Joy Division that followed more melancholic versions (the Wild Swans among others)—it became the anthem of the brokenhearted. Granted, Ian Curtis would cringe in his grave while hearing Nouvelle Vague’s version, while I, in turn, was amusing myself.

The masterminds of Nouvelle Vague—Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux—lead the pack of chanteuses, including Melanie Pain, and are armed with sixteen new secondhand tunes in their new release, 3. Instead of copying the songs one to one, the boys from Nouvelle Vague stick to the formula: strip the songs off and rework them, sometimes to the point of being mundane and unrecognizable. Hence, Nouvelle Vague, which means new wave in English and bossa nova in Portuguese, has taken on a different meaning altogether. It is French chansons for the twenty-first century gone alternative.

If imitation is a form of flattery, then don’t wonder why Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore decided to join the fray. On the first single “Master and Servant,” Gore serves as a back-up vocal to Pain. Strangely enough, it feels like listening to a dialogue between a man and a woman engaged in BDSM, only they are singing. For a while the song was on the black list of many radio stations in the U.S. due to its theme. While retaining the guitar parts, Nouvelle Vague added a flavour of bluegrass and country. Voilà! The single is set to conquer radioland without any scandal.

Terry Hall (Funboy Three and The Specials) and Ian McCulloch (Echo and the Bunnymen) make a cameo. Hall sings with Marina Celeste on “Our Lips Are Sealed,” which he co-wrote for the girl pop group The Go-Gos; McCulloch renders his voice on the original EATB tune, “All My Colours,” in another duet with Pain.

Nouvelle Vague’s acoustic version of Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” has lost its teeth. However, laid-back this version is, the message is still depressive and amazingly clearer due to its sinister lyrics. “Such a Shame,” an original by Talk Talk, heavily reminds you of Air’s hit single “Playground Love.” The treatment is moody, yet hauntingly pretty. The torch song “Say Hello Wave Goodbye” could even impress Soft Cell’s Marc Almond. The French accent on “Blister in the Sun” accentuates its cuteness, while Plastic Betrand’s original “Ça Plane Pour Moi” is darn upbeat and cheeky—great songs to perk up your day.

Some might find Nouvelle Vague’s repackaging of old New Wave and punk anthems an act of blasphemy, but in truth, this is the group’s testament of paying a tribute to their favourite songs. So music purists, eat your hearts out. Nouvelle Vague is here to stay and 3 is the proof of that.

Written by: Elen P. Farkas, January 13th 2010

Trio B.C.

admin — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:12:00 +0000

By Girl In A Coma

Blackheart Records

There are a few deciding factors that determine the lasting star power of a band: it all seems to boil down to great songs, a distinctive sound, and a story to run with. Girl in a Coma meet all the criteria in spades while snagging a few extra gold stars and honorable mentions for having an amazing vocalist with a unique resonance all her own. They are also exciting live. They are the best band in the world is all.

In reality, they comprise of guitar bass and drums helmed by Nina Diaz on vocals, Jenn Alva on bass, and Phanie Diaz on drums. Their tight unit is reminiscent of a Nirvana three-piece getting the job done with minimal fanfare and rocking out twice as hard to make up the difference. The album’s title, Trio B.C., was chosen in honor of the Diaz patriarch and his Tejano band, and conveniently illustrates the dynamism of this talented group. His likeness is also emblazoned on the cover as well and sketched by acclaimed artist Shizu Saldamando.

Trio B.C., Girl in a Coma's sophomore album under the watchful eye of label maven Joan Jett, grabs inspiration from various sources; rockabilly, punk rock, new wave, nu-gaze, and blues. As they branch out from their previous effort, you see them mature as songwriters as they creatively weave and incorporate these compatible genres with their edgy brand of punk rock. The record jumps like a game of hopscotch in and around their creative palette relying less on a heavy guitar sounds that drove the previous record and leaving ample room for lyrics and vocals to shine through.

“Vino” really showcases Diaz’s voice as she bellows and croons like a teen angel version of Patsy Cline. The way she ends her phrases with a vibrato lilt would make anyone obsessively hit rewind. “In the Day” is catchy, bright, new wave goodness that mixes The Vapors’ optimism with Morrissey’s acerbic cynicism. Jett’s backing vocals are heard loud and clear in “Joanie in the City” a punk rock anthem to all those rockin’ chicks you always wished you were, and Joan in particular. “Trail” has that nu-gaze ‘wall of sound’ sonic complexity that invites an intent ear to Diaz’s vocal stylizing. She relents, “I’m all right for now… I’ll just never sleep again.” "Slaughter Lane" works its way through the basic elements of roots music, bluesy, bouncy and riff oriented. It is here where each element works together in tandem as if they were playing a homecoming show at [enter steamy club] and having the best gig of their life.

Trio B.C. is a fresh progression of what would be expected from a band this strong and promising in a genre that seems too often to fail in exciting their audience when ingesting new blood. Their signature sound is successfully paired with new creative endeavors. One should expect an invigorating live show as they hash out these new tunes while balancing it all with their indie punk rock sensibilities.

Written by: Cat Veit, June 21st 2009

Shake Yourself Awake

admin — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 02:53:00 +0000

By Ms. Led

Fish the Cat Records

When the first song of rock band Ms. Led’s new album, Shake Yourself Awake, blasted on my stereo I became an instant fan. As a 35 year old woman who came of age in the ‘80s, I felt like I was taking a stroll down musical memory lane as I listened. Ms. Led’s music, fronted by lead singer Lesli Wood, is punk with a dash of ‘80s new wave. Wood possesses a voice that can sound sweet or angry, and is similar to Belinda Carlisle.

The two best songs on the album are the third and last tracks. The last song on the album, “Fools” is a ballad that allows Wood’s soprano voice to shine. “Fools” reprises the chorus from the third track, “Up to the Old Tricks,” which reminds me of something The Go Go’s would have recorded.

My only complaint with “Shake Yourself Awake” is that the lyrics are not included in the album, and not available on Ms. Led’s website. Ms. Led is touted as an “activist” band, but I really would not know as I could not understand the lyrics, typical of punk.

Written by: Gina-Marie Cheeseman, July 27th 2007