Niki N. Phaser

Ok, so the truth is French music gets a bit overlooked around the world. Most non-English-language music does. But even if you might have some difficulties understanding the lyrics, you can still appreciate a well-crafted song. To test the theory give Quand Viendra L’Heure a try. The song is a collaboration between dark rock band, ACWL and Nicola Sirkis, the frontman of not-so-dark rock band Indochine. It’s a two-faced piece of music, half lullaby, half heavy metal lullaby, but all feeling, no surface. It starts gentle with bells and chimes and poetry-reciting-like vocals. Sirkis’ voice is manly and pretty low, but Clin’s adds an unnatural feel to it, as if some Victorian ghost is haunting her husband. The first half is quite soothing, suggesting abstract images dissolving into each other. Then, the drums kick in and bring with them short and heavy guitar hits and you feel the storm coming, but it never does… It all becomes darker, but there is no destructive climax. That reciting of the track’s title is followed by dying voices which stop the song from becoming aggressive. It is weird and lullaby-esque, but still quite a banger, once you get the hang of it. Maybe you woun’t really dance to it, but you woun’t stand still either. You should check out the video, too. Also, even if you are not into Quand Viendra L’Heure, you should “taste” ACWL and Indochine. They are some of France’s best.

THE WONDERFUL VIDEO FOR Quand Viendra L’Heure

We had an article a few days ago about the battle (no pun intended) between Placebo’s latest indie efforts with their new album, Battle for the Sun and their ex-label’s (Virgin/EMI) attempt at banking on previous albums signed by the trio. Recent numbers, posted by Billboard, show that Molko and his Ste’s are winning this one. They’ve reached number one in the European Top 100 Albums, despite entering their native UK chart at 8. They’ve reached top spots in four other countries, including, of course, France, where they landed number one with each album since Black Market Music (2001). Top five spots have been assured in Holland, Finland, Switzerland, so the heavy touring really works. They are number one in Germany and Battle for the Sun was released there the day they headlined Rock am Ring. With this direction going so well and their agenda being full of summer festivals, followed by their own tour in the fall-winter season, we can’t help wondering what new heights are they going to reach.