A rocking and thoughtful album from Françoise
04/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"FH's 1996 album "Le danger" could be one of her best. Its overall feel is a mix of rock, blues, and pop. The band is excellent, the arrangements are superb, and above all, FH's poetic lyrics are moving and thought-provoking. The album's sound is varied without losing consistency, the tunes ranging from rocking to slow. "Le danger" is a smart album that is by turns sad, joyful, droll, and moving. FH's taste is always impeccable, and it is no wonder that such icons as Bob Dylan and the Stones respected her talent (many of the sounds on "Le danger" almost seem to prefigure Dylan's latest masterpiece, "Love and Theft").There are no losers on this disc, but highlights include the album's opener, "Mode d'emploi", a rocking tune with a catchy guitar hook and chorus. Track 2, "Les Madeleines," is also a winner with wonderful orchestration and even a line in English (in Françoise's charming accent). Perhaps the best track on the album is "Un peu d'eau", an atmospheric tune that also happens to be one of FH's favorite compositions. "L'obscur objet" and the optimistic "Tout va bien" are standouts as well.Extensive knowledge of French is not needed to enjoy these tunes. FH's voice sounds better than it ever has. The album is well worth the $30 it usually costs online.Bottom line: 4/4"