Search - Noir Desir :: Des Visages Des Figures

Premonitory

r_t | Switzerland | 11/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After a five-year wait expectations were high for the release of this new album by Noir Desir, definitely the best french rock-band of the last two decades. The songs are great, alternating between haunting poetry - "Bouquet de nerfs" and "Des armes", the search for existential meaning - "A l'envers a l'endroit" and "Lost" and scathing social criticism - "L'Europe" and "Le grand incendie". Special mention about Le grand incendie (the great fire) which predicts destruction raining down on the great cities of the west - in an album published on 9.11.! Another special mention for L'Europe, over 24 minutes in duet with Brigitte Fontaine, at turns dreamy and full of rage, evocative of Jim Morrisson at his best. Another special mention for the colaboration with Manu ChaoThe long wait for this disk was well worth it, the band has matured, the music gotten richer, and Bertrand Cantat's voice got a chance to heal from past abuse. Overall almost 70 minutes of pure listening pleasure, with many thought-provoking moments. Definitely worth buying. Caveat: you need a strong understanding of french to fully plunge the depth of this album."

A French rock classic

r_t | 12/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am not a particular fan of "hard rock music" so I don't own the earlier albums of Noir Desir but I know many of their songs. Des Visages Des Figures is the second album I own after Club 666.667. When Des Visages Des Figures came along, I was truly happy: music and lyrics eventually were in total harmony, while I still get slightly annoyed by a third of 666.667 songs (I personally think that Cantat's impeccable lyrics in French are poorer when translated literally in English, and he does not sound as good in that language). Des Visages Des Figures is complete and multi-faceted; it has its fair share of introspective ballads (L'Appartement, Bouquet de Nerfs) and politically oriented tunes (A l'Envers a l'Endroit, l'Europe, le Grand Incendie). "Le Vent Nous Portera" is the hit everyone knows and one can't get tired of; it is simply perfect. I heard an American journalist comment on this song on the radio recently and say that even those who don't speak French can tell that it is a beautiful one. I guess it is an ultimate accomplishment when a song speaks beyond the words!
Anyway: this album is a must-have; it will become a French classic within a decade and who wants to know about the real France and its mainstream culture should listen to it. Cantat's voice is unique (Listen to "Des Armes" - a great tribute to Ferre and a great way to introduce him to younger generations - to fully contemplate his vocal potential), and so is his writing.
The 20 or more minute long "l'Europe" is an absolute delirious trip that I - being a European expat - truly appreciate for its sarcasm and sense of reality. There's nothing said in this song that I do not agree with - and yet Cantat and Fontaine are merciless in their objectivity! -, but it seems to revive my affection for my homeland each time I listen to it.
Popular music speaks volumes of a culture, a country and/or an era. Listen to Noir Desir, Zebda, IAM (veteran rap band), or Mickey3D, and many others, and you'll get a more accurate picture of the real "France d'en bas" - actually the only real France - than what may be said on television or in the newspapers..."

A modern classic

Christopher Coquard | Edmonton, AB | 11/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a total fan of Noir Desir, and own all of their albums. This CD represents an important growth in their development as musicians, from the Nordic songs of the sea of their earlier era, to the hard, fast and excellent songs from 666.667 Club & Tostaky, to this reflective lyrical and musical masterpiece. I do understand the lyrics, and they are beautiful, simple, and Cantat has a way with words which is quite unique to him. They are comparable to Radiohead in their experimentations with music, and are an 'anti-pop' force that is not only full of good music, but good thoughts, and creative energy as well.



You can also go to AMAZON.FR and buy a double DVD that has 'Comme elle vient' concert footage, and all their videos and interviews.



Europe has a history of producing musicians with causes, philosophies, that go far beyond the surface and that last in the otherwise turbulent world of entertainment - Noir Desir is a perfect example."