Artist: Les Negresses Vertes Album: Mlah

Les Negresses Vertes are an eclectic eight-piece French band that released this exuberant debut in 1988. There are so many ideas on this record! Mlah fairly buzzes with dynamism and street-savvy brio, with accordions and horns bursting out of the mix. Complex and serpentine rhythms undergird the affair, and the band at this stage seems rather a Gallic counterpoint to the Pogues, with bold, almost shouted “gang vocal” choruses (and an even more self-destructive frontman whose luck eventually ran out).

by Jon E., Jan 11 2008
Label: Rhino

a continuation of this review: http://kvrx.org/node/27926

I enjoyed disk 2 more than 1 if only because the songs didn’t feel like the usual monolithic essential selections. Still, I have the usual qualms with song choices.

1. **** Ride “Vapour Trail” A pretty boring ride song, but from their best record, “Nowhere”
2. ***** Pale Saints “Sight of You” God I love this song. Pale Saints 4ever!

by Jon E. Jan 5, 2008
Label: Rhino

Three and a half stars (out of five).

by Jon E., Jan 3, 2008
Label: Young Turks

Four stars (out of five).

This record is good. Neu! + The Rapture = Holy Fuck

Yes, that equation could also equal “trying waaaaay too hard,” but Holy Fuck pulls it off, more or less.

The songs have almost no vocals (or the vocals are mixed really low). If I were in this band, I would just chant “fuck” along with the beat during every song to make this record extra radio friendly.

All songs are repetitive and monotonous, and I mean that as a compliment.

The music:

1 join us on the autobahn

by Jon E., Jan 3, 2008
Label: Elefant

Three and a half stars (out of five).