Released 25/01/10
Because Music
Madame Charlotte Gainsbourg’s blood runs thick with thespian and musical royalty. A surprisingly burgouise childhood was spent with piano and classically trained lessons, despite the fame and prestige surrounding the families notoriety. Her provocative father, the late Serge Gainsbourg left a legacy of popular obscurity in his wake and Charlotte’s acting veins were transmitted from her mother and actress Jane Birkin. The prolific sixties couple and parentals are well known for their duo in “Je T'Aime...Moi Non Plus”. And it’s safe to say, that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
The first attempt in the charts was some twenty years ago with her old man Serge, who wrote all the music and lyrics in Charlotte Forever. Collaborating was a similar theme in the second harmonious endeavor, as she got into bed (figuratively speaking) with artists Air and Jarvis Cocker to cook up '5:55'.
This time round she has melted her schemes with another respected musician, the irritatingly creative Beck, to craft up a hi-fi psychedelic lollypop. Two years ago Charlotte endured a jet skiing mishap leading to a brain hemorrhage. This bad luck inspired IRM, Français for MRI. Quite a brainwave to register and convey each bleep and beep imitating medical instruments in operation.
The first part of the album sails steadily, not exactly being engaging; tracks like 'Vanities' and 'Time of Assassins', albeit cute and portraying a flurry of acoustic hums, tend to lack pizzazz and that alluring buzz.
Back in the game with 'Trick Pony', some punchy licks and drum bass kicks set the disposition alight. Her coquettish intonations finally exemplify the direction of the LP.
Keep your saddle tight for 'Dandelion'; this number canters along at a Spaghetti Western pace, ready for the day’s intake of whiskey and maybe a shootout at high noon with Patti Smith.
In its entirety the LP contains a handful of gems worth a whirl on your turntable. It takes a few spins for the album to breakthrough, grappling for substance and splendor, though these do surface eventually.
6/10
Posted In Album Reviews, Jan 19 2010.
Words - Chez De Bartolo