3

ポスト・パンク/ニューウェイヴの名曲をボサノヴァ・アレンジでカヴァーする目からウロコ的なコンセプトで注目を集めるフランス生まれのプロジェクト、「バンド・ア・パル」以来3年ぶり3枚目の作品。今回はデペッシュ・モード、トーキング・ヘッズ、エコバニ、シンプル・マインズ、マガジン、ピストルズ、ポリスらの楽曲を取り上げ、相変わらず斬新な手法でカヴァー。しかも今回はマーティン・ゴア(デペッシュ・モード)、イアン・マッカロク(エコー&ザ・バニーメン)、テリー・ホール(スペシャルズ)、バリー・アダムソン(元マガジン)といったオリジナル・アーティストがゲスト参加しているのも話題!

Following 2006's critically acclaimed 'Bande A Part' French music collective Nouvelle Vague's third album is another musical delight. Known for their quirky and unique cover versions of well-known songs of artists such as Depeche Mode, U2, Buzzcocks, '3' features duets with the original singers of the songs, such as Martin Gore, Ian McCulloch and Terry Hall. This is a more delicate and inspired record than its predecessors, including covers of 'Road To Nowhere' (Talking Heads) and 'Say Hello Wave Goodbye' (Soft Cell).|

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Nouvelle Vague must be new wave and bossa nova's biggest admirers -- and it hasn't gone unnoticed. On NV3, the group performs some of its suave covers of new wave and post-punk classics with some of the era's stars, and the results embody the best and the worst of the rest of the album. Ian McCulloch fits seamlessly into "All My Colors," a typically pretty, wistful Nouvelle Vague track, while Barry Adamson's sneering cool makes a noir version of Magazine's "Parade" the album's standout. However, the group's version of "Master and Servant" -- which features a Jew's harp and Martin Gore's booming baritone on the chorus -- feels overdone, and not even Terry Hall's cameo can save "Our Lips Are Sealed"'s transformation into a pastoral reverie from seeming a bit silly. Elsewhere, Nouvelle Vague struggle to balance their fondness for kitsch with deeper emotions, and inspired touches with their usual formula. "Blister in the Sun" is wittily transformed into a ye-ye rave-up and "Road to Nowhere" is turned into an alt-country ramble, but making "God Save the Queen" and "Ca Plane Pour Moi" singsongy and delicate isn't especially clever at this point. Despite the occasional misstep, NV3 still has some gorgeous moments, especially the flamenco-tinged "Not Knowing" and the closing track, "Such a Shame." This is a decidedly mixed bag, but there are enough lovely and playful tracks to keep most Nouvelle Vague fans satisfied. ~ Heather Phares

ニューウェイヴ期のロック名曲を洒脱なラウンジ・スタイルでカヴァーしまくるフランス生まれのプロジェクトが3作目を上梓。凡百の企画モノと異なるのは、原曲の良質なエッセンスのみを残して一度解体し、ボサノヴァやジャズなど非ロック的な骨子で再構築する手並みの鮮やかさ。この手法自体がニューウェイヴ〜ポスト・パンク的だとも言える。テリー・ホールやイアン・マッカロクなどご本家もゲスト参加!　　
bounce (C)北爪啓之