Product Description

Sophomore album, following 2004's self-titled release, fromFrench duo who cover 80s new wave and new romantic songs ina loungecore/tropicalia style. Self-consciously arty and ironic - their name references the 60s French "new wave" of cinema and the album is named for the cult film ('Band Of Outsiders') by Jean-Luc Godard - their gimmick has nonetheless made them one of the Peacefrog label's biggest sellers. On this album they tackle classics by the likes of Blondie, New Order, Echo & The Bunnymen and Bauhaus.

Track Listing

1. Killing Moon
2. Ever Fallen In Love
3. Dance With Me
4. Don't Go
5. Dancing With Myself
6. Heart Of Glass
7. O Pamela
8. Blue Monday
9. Human Fly
10. Bela Lugosi's Dead
11. Escape Myself
12. Let Me Go
13. Fade To Grey
14. Waves

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4344 in Music
• Released on: 2006-07-03
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Amazon.co.uk Review
Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux became worldwide sensations with their eponymous debut album (back in 2004), which transformed a considered selection of underground post-punk hits by the likes of Joy Division, Depeche Mode and Tuxedo Moon, into sophisticated, acoustic, bossa-influenced chansons. Two years on, the duo have returned with a new album - named after a Jean-Luc Godard movie - and more of their rive gauche renditions. Joined by youthful chanteuses Melanie Pain, Camille and Phoebe Killdeer, the band once again dust off tunes by The Buzzcocks (`Ever Fallen In Love'), New Order (`Blue Monday'), Visage (`Fade To Grey'), Yazoo (`Don't Go'), Bauhaus (`Bela Lugosi's Dead') - even Billy Idol's thinly veiled ode to masturbation `Dancing With Myself' - and strip them down to the kind of happy-go-lucky lounge classics that your Gran could tap her feet to. Some may not want to hear their fave 80s songs re-imagined in this manner, but most will enjoy the album's intoxicating insouciance. --Paul Sullivan

Customer Reviews

Nouvelle Vague: A new experience
Im 13 years old and im usually into rockish type music but after hearing one Nouvelle Vague song i fell in love with them. I heard the cover of "Ever fall in love" (first sung by the buzzcocks) on tv and i thought it was great so i decided to buy their newest album. The re sings are amazing and the easy flowing mood is great when your trying to relax. I think that anybody could enjoy this album and the great voice of the Nouvelle Vague singers. The instuments are played fantastically and ever though i paid more on the high street than i could have on amazon i feel that it was well worth my money. Even the shops clerks seemed enthusiastic with my choice and recommended other songs and albums by Nouvelle Vague which now i also love. Nouvelle Vague took old songs and changed them into a whole new experience that todays music scene could really use. 10 out of 10!

Faith Westlake

I'm dancing with myself!
I rarely put my thoughts to paper when summing up, an album or band..usually I like to just say something "rocks".

I don't like to wear a critique's shoes, however, since I first got my grubby paws on Nouvelle Vague's [French for new wave] self titled debut disc..I've really been "feeling" this band.

In short, they are a covers band. An accident come project of a French producer who grew up on 80's new wave post punk ~ like New Order, Depeche Mode that sort of ilk. What he has done is taken old 80's songs, fused them with Brazilian Bossanova with Flowery acoustic instruments and French angelic vocalists.

The myth around these recordings is that the young French singers have never heard the original songs and therefore interpreted, it with their own identity.

It is a good testament for me to stand up and say I love these songs because I thought the 80's were dreadful. I spent my youth wandering why Top of the Pops showcased such pompous vanity trips, yet, Nouvelle Vagues detaches these songs of that pretence. From the new disc - Yazoo's 'Dont Go' is reborn with good manners and the style of a 1920's Spanish King's suit.

Blonde's 'Heart of Glass' is wittier, and given a new shocking beauty - just like the times we exchange glances with the finest lookin woman in the room. 'Ever Fallen in Love with' resonates and echoes the thoughts of your inner confidence, half a bottle of wine into the night.. but enough of my ramblings. If you only check out - one album this year - seek Bande Apart by Nouvelle Vague, it will lead you into the postcards of your subconsious, the ones with pictures of tropical islands and dancing silohettes.

~Paul Browne.
www.paulbrowneart.co.uk

Summer Nights
Loved the first album but was a bit worried that a second album of cover versions would be one step too far. I shouldn't have worried because Nouvelle Vaugue don't do novelty and have re-written another batch of classics in their bosa nova lounge style. Stand out tracks this time are Echo and the Bunnymen's "Killing Moon", Buzzcocks "Ever Fallen in Love", Blondie's "Heart of Glass" and New Order's "Blue Monday". The only downpoint is how many of these will end up on TV, either to adverts or idents. There's no better album to while away a summers day too.