April March and Aquaserge

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 00:00:00
April March has a long track record of picking very compatible partners to work with. Bertrand Burgalat, the Makers, Andy Paley, and Los Cincos have all done marvelous work with the singer over the years. This time she is working with the group Aquaserge, who include former Stereolab member Julien Gasc, Tame Impala drummer Julien Barbagallo, and Melody's Echo Chamber collaborator Benjamin Gilbert. They play a warped mix of French pop, psych pop, and prog on their own (as evidenced on 2010's Ce Tres Cher Serge album), which proves to be a perfect match for March. Together they've concocted a sound that's a little heavier than previous March outings, but also has the light touch one would expect. There's an impressive array of sounds and styles the band and March take on and conquer. The raucous garage rock of "Love Is a Maze," the melancholy AM pop of "Picture the Sun," the spooky psychedelics of "J'entends des Voix," the proggy and long "Ready Aim Love," and the minor-key, outer space- ye-ye jangler "Black Bars" are all perfect blends of inspired music, melodies that linger, and March's trademark vocals. She sounds totally invested in every sharp turn and diversion that band take over the course of the album, always sounding perfectly sweet and spunky. The arrangements are all note perfect and bolstered by the guys in Aquaserge chiming in with some strong backing vocals -- something you don't usually hear on a March record, but which sounds good here. It's probably the one album in her catalog that touches on everything she's done, and wraps it up in a glittering package that ranks as maybe her best album in a career full of really good ones. It may be a little light on the ye-ye, but the overall excellence more than makes up for it. And honestly, it's been a long time since "Chick Habit," and March has been making much more varied and interesting music since then. This is the perfect chance to check her out again and see just how accomplished and fun she can be, especially with the help of collaborators as sympathetic as Aquaserge turn out to be here. ~ Tim Sendra