The first time I heard a song from this album, I knew nothing about its release, the artist, or even the lyrics. Perhaps this name sounds familiar because of his daughter, Charlotte Gainsbourg (who recently released an album with Beck), or perhaps you are awesomely up on French pop culture and you are aware of Serge Gainsbourg's acclaim, but I was neither of these on first listen. I initially felt disconnected from the music because the lyrics are almost entirely in French and the music can be very vocally driven, which left me frustrated with my high school level French comprehension. However, I find the orchestration of each song timelessly appealing and completely communicative on its own. The style is hard to categorize, but it's somewhere in the jazz, funk, soul section maybe? If you are up for a challenge, listen to the cd straight through and see if you can grasp the concept. Oh and, don't read any further because I explain the gist below.
To quote wikipedia, "The Lolita-esque pseudo-autobiographical plot involves the middle-aged Gainsbourg unintentionally colliding his Rolls Royce Silver Ghost into teenage nymphet Melody Nelson's bicycle, and the subsequent seduction and romance that ensues." Released in 1971, a completely eccentric artist to precede many more.
Not your cd to play on shuffle. Let me know thoughts. Anyone keen to this cat already?
1 comment:
Just listened. I dig the instrumental, but the speaking really didn't do anything for me. I didnt' like hearing the .. movement and articulation of his tongue (oddly enough). Also, as ole boy Paul knows.. I DON'T FOOKING HABLO!!!
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