Clash

The disc opens with a rendition of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart." It's a charming start, and with a breathy chanteuse on vocals, it's exactly the kind of sound that has some music critics proclaiming (admittedly with a touch of sarcasm) that Nouvelle Vague is the ironic dinner music for the new millennium. Unfortunately, this CD is somewhat less winning as it wears on. "Guns of Brixton" is annoying when done in a loungey mood, and sitting through "Too Drunk to F**k" in the wrong company could certainly ruin the amuse bouche. Nevertheless, the entertaining tracks do outweigh tiresome ones on this release. If this concept sounds like an interesting idea to you, you're bound to get a smile from the execution. --Leah Weathersby

Customer Reviews:

Lounge with spunk.......2007-07-08

Or is it punk? Anyway I've got a weak spot for lounge music and this may best, edgiest lounge you'll ever hear. Frankly, I'm not all that familiar with most of the originals so I have no idea how much they've been maimed here. All I know is that the vocals are inspired and impossible to ignore.

In Love With This Album!.......2007-06-07

I absolutely LOVE this album! I listen to many different genres of music but I have to say that this album is one of my ultimate favorite cd's! I don't get tired of listening to it! I'm so glad I was introduced to Nouvelle Vague and I have shared this cd with many friend of mine...I then recently purchased their second album Bande A Part, but I was disappointed however, it's not nearly as good as their first...I love 80's music, Bossa Nova, AND Nu Wave, definetly recommend this cd!

Brilliantly different..........2007-04-15

First time through this distinctly "left field" album is likely to leave you a bit confused... laid back interpretations of classic 80's rock tracks served up as nonchalant, bossa-nova driven Anglo-French lounge music. Ridiculous? Well, fortunately not, because in here are some absolute gems - so good that once you've locked into what's going on you'll find them completely irresistible. Which ones depends on where you were at the time but, for me, "Teenage Kicks", "Love Will Tear Us Apart", "We're Only Making Plans for Nigel" & "Just Can't Get Enough" are so beautifully structured and darkly exciting that they're worth the price of the album on its own. But, as you'll see from the other reviews, there's a lot more on offer. Sure, some tracks miss it... but most don't and, insidious and clever, they add up to a brilliant, very different and probably unrepeatable "one off".

Relaxing AND Catchy!.......2007-04-10

Well .... this album combines two of the better qualities I like in a CD. Nouvelle Vague is relaxing -- and extremely catchy! 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' sets the tone from the very beginning ... the comfortable bossa nova rhythm leads to a chorus I found myself whistling along with ... while Nouvellle Vague's catchy take on 'Just Can't Get Enough' had me humming along. I mentioned in another review that I'm not too familiar with the 70s/80s originals ... and because of that I find that this album of covers is a stand-alone, especially for those that are fans of rhythmic bossa nova, samba, and jazz. For me, every song on this album is strong ... As a picky and eccentric listener, this is one of the few times I can play through an entire album and never have to skip a track. It doesn't mean that I don't have favorites on this album -- 'Marian' was the reason I decided to buy the CD. I bought this CD with Bande a Part, because there were several songs on that CD that I felt compliment this one ... but this CD, Nouvelle Vague, is the stronger of two excellent CDs.

Mixed bag gives bossa nova swing to olde inde faves.......2007-01-23

This outing from the cover band Novelle Vague satisfies immensely in many ways, and just plain misses in others. If you are an old timmer who grew up on the originals (like me) then you may find this newly vamped bossa nova approach to 80s post-punk staples a fun filled romp down nostalgia lane. It isn't for everyone, though, and a word of caution to those of you who are missing out by not having heard the originals (all brilliant in their own right) first. The often covered Joy Division classic, "Love Will Tear Us Apart," gives us a warmer rendition than the bleak original, but not better, just different. Of stellar mention is their fun, catchy cover of the DK's hc classic "Too Drunk to..." and the Clash's London-calling era ska-soaked "Guns of Brixton." I will also add that their cover of the insufferably boring "This is not a Love Song" (of disco-era post-Pistols Johnny Rotten PIL fame) gets a great face lift...upwards: Simply awesome!! On the other hand, Nouvelle Vague miss almost entirely on the gothic realm, as best evidenced by their butchering of Andrew Eldritch's "Marian" (off the Sisters of Mercy's first LP, "First and Last and Always") and with their mediocre quickening of The Cure's "A Forest" (which seems to be popular in covering, especially with the techno / rave crowd). Overall this is a good buy, but it does have a couple renditions that deserve a quick skip with a toggle of the fast forward button. A better NV effort is showcased in their "Bande A Part" LP, where they do a fantastic cover of the power-punk-pop classic "Ever Fallen in Love," a former Buzzcocks masterpiece. 4 stars for effort and originality.