Francoise goes 80s new wave
voguebambini | Cambridge, MA United States | 03/03/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"i have to say i love this album, though it may not be to the likings of fans of francoise's 60's girl group bubblegum pop. this is something like francoise does synth pop, early 80s style. i think it's genius, but i may be biased since i had this album on tape in the early 80s. but there are really lovely moments - "reve de starlet," an achingly poignant casio-tone carnival ballad about a suicidal starlet (think tom waits covered by betty blue) is one of the loveliest songs of its genre (i.e. the circus sideshow pop tragedy genre - one of my perennial favorites). and "villegiature" has the charming retro quality of sounding just like an 80s TV jingle for a travel agency - also brilliant. what with 80s chic being back "in," there's nothing not to like about francoise hardy's new wave phase!"