Nouvelle Vague - Jean-Luc Godard

Advantages: Nice original look at punk and electronica
Disadvantages: Slightly samey

...An odd name and only kind of French. Basically it's two French blokes (which is the French bit) who decided to remake a load of old punk classics, but with a twist... Nouvelle Vague means "New Wave" (in French) but also "Bossa Nova" (in brazillian portuguese) and well, that's the twist. Punk covers done bossa nova style... odd you think, but highly effective! Now what's so great about two blokes singing punk classics in a weird way? Well they don't sing: in fact there are eight different female singers that take it in turns to take us on this twisted form of punk. Each of their voices adds a bit of sexiness to the mix, which is a bit odd hearing "Teenage Kicks" (originally by the Clash) sung in a sensual way is a good enough reason to buy the album on it's own, but there are in fact 13 brilliantly sung and produced songs. My only gripe... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Melodic, tranquil and beautiful.
Disadvantages: A few songs..

...This is a spectuacular album, brought together from the concept band Nouvelle Vague. Basically, without being too 'cover disasterous', this band have manipulated songs from other artists and subverted them to the Bossa Nova style. Infact, in some cases in a quite different, atmospheric style. 'Fade to Grey' (originally by Visage), consists of a low tempo, isolated array of whispers and accordian, it stretches far beyond any stereotypicial bossa nova style and shows that Nouvelle Vague can create magical pieces and stylistic compositions that totally overthrow the original. Making you wish 'Vague produced it first. Of course, there are other great points to make about this album, and that is that you can buy this as an impulse buy. I purchased this, hearing nothing about the band, apart from a review in a musical magazine boasting it... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Good Music
Disadvantages: Needs improvement

...... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful