New Tahiti 80 album

Tahiti 80's first single, "Heartbeat"


This small band from Rennes, France, is already releasing its fourth album (many more EPs in between). The first one, released in 1999, had caught my ear with the perfect "Heartbeat".

"Big Day", first single of the album Fosbury (2005)


After a short 2 year hyatus during which Xavier Boyer was working on a solo project (Axe Riverboy), the original lineup is back.

"1,000 Times", one of my favorite Tahiti 80 songs, on the album "Wallpaper For The Soul", the most electronic opus to date, in 2002

The new album, Activity Center, is just out. Its more rocky sounds still capture the etheral and fun spirit of Tahiti 80.

"Changes", with a rather cool video (2005)


Their official website, click here.
For their MySpace, it's here.

Dots Obsession

La Grande Halle de la Villette in Paris presents an installation by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama in the frame of its "intercultural dialog: when different types of madness meet".

Dots Obsessions is a multitude of inflattable pink baloons with black dots, some of which you can enter, see pictures below.

Kusama, who's considered at the avant-garde of Japanese art scene started her work in the 1950s with Andy Warhol. She stages her nightmares and child hallucinations (such as dots). She states that her "life is like a dot, lost among thousands of other dots".

Kusama hovers between minimal virtuosity and destructive madness... In 1973, ill, she goes home to Japan and destroys many of her pieces. She's been living ever since in an instution that treats insanity by artistic expression. She's had a workshop built next to her clinic.

These huge pink bubbles provoke a weird feeling in every visitor, they're first surprised and amused, walking through this light and imposing figures. The dots then almost subjugate and absorb the audience's attention. On a screen, a short movies shows us the artist in a pink wig reciting a daunting poem.


The artist's website: click here.
Through Aug. 17, 2008 only at the Grande Halle de la Villette in Paris (metro Porte de Pantin). Hurry, no entry fee, closes at 10 pm.

Pete Burns, the Ultimate Queer Diva

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Madonna: "on a cover of *all* magazines"

As usual, Madonna doesn't go halfway and when she promotes her new album, the press goes along with her. She was on the cover of the British music magazines Q. More surprisingly, she's also on the cover of a special ecology issue of Vanity Fair, the US magazine founded in 1913.

She's also on the covers of 3 international editions of Elle: US, UK and... France of course!



Interview (created in 1969 by Andy Warhol) was the first this year to talk about the diva's new album and introduced a new picture from the Steven Klein photoshoot (also used for the cover of Hard Candy, to be released on April 29, 2008).

Finally, in France, Madonna can also be seen on the cover Figaro Madame for their fashion issue.

The new Miss Jackson

Janet Jackson is one of those artists I've been "following" for a little time now. For me, the revelation was probably in 1993 with "Again" and the whole "That's the Way Love Goes" era. I was in heaven with the "Velvet Rope" album (1997) and I even liked "All For You" (2001)... More recently, it seemed the 2000s were not so kind to Miss Janet with more lukewarm albums that went unnoticed like "Damita Jo" (2004), or does someone even remember "20YO" (2006). Yeah I thought so.

In a nutshell, as a loyal fan, I'm going to buy "Discipline" on its release day. The latest single "Feedback" with its tragically kitscho-cheap video didn't totally convince me...

Some tracks are fierce and strike when first heard. My good ol' Janet is back! What I like most: "Rock With U", "2Nite", "Can't B Good", "Never Letchu Go" and "What's Ur Name". Of course, there're still the same corny interludes in which she pretends to confide, but the tracks are still good and well produced. Another thing I'm not too keen on: the artwork... I love Janet but isn't she getting a little old playing this faux-provocative leather-clad style?

What I want to hear here is a very surprising track. So what's the sample? Yes, it's Daft Punk! That's what I call intelligent recycling because it's not stealing a good tune (even though, unless I'm mistaken, the Versailles duet is not credited...) but simply the reuse of a super-effective gimmick.

Still the king?

Michael Jackson is again in the spotlight with the release today of "Thriller 25", a remastered version of his legendary album (the all-time best seller in the record history), with new versions of his hits featuring duets wiht today's artists, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its original release.

"Rock With You" (video directed by Bruce Gowers, from the album "Off The Wall", 1980)

"Off The Wall" is for a lot of people Michael's first solo album, it is however not really the case. From 1972 to 1975, Motown released 4 albums. OK, not so many hits were remembered from that era, except maybe the very beautiful "One Day in Your Life". This album is great and certainly reveals MJ's potential with his first huge successes like "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough", "She's Out Of My Life" or "Rock With You".

"Thriller" (video directed by John Landis, from the album "Thriller", 1982)

"Thriller" is the record-breaking album that needs no introduction whatsoever. It's a total must-have! The figures make me dizzy, I'll only say that out of the 9 tracks on the ablum, 7 were released as singles!

"Smooth Criminal" (video directed by Colin Chilvers, from the album "Bad", 1987)

The much anticipated next Quincy Jones / Michael Jackson collaboration is "Bad." Very successful, even if it doesn't reach the sales of the previous opus. For me, "Bad" presents one of the finest Jackson ballads like "Liberian Girl", "Man In The Mirror" or "I Just Can't Stop Loving You".

"Remember The Time" (video directed by John Singleton, from the album "Dangerous", 1991)

The very dense and complete "Dangerous" is a New Jack Swing masterpiece. Michael Jackson distinguishes himself with a weird way of life and his expression may be disturbing to some extent. Jackson becomes bigger than life with HUGE hits, top-notch collaboration, Hollywood-style videos and a gigantic tour.

"Stranger In Moscow" (video directed by Nicholas Brandt, from the album "HIStory", 1995)

"HIStory" is the start of a slow down in sales. Jackson's doing too much in megalomania. The album stills holds some perfect gems such as "Scream", "Stranger In Moscow", "Earth Song", "HIStory", certain songs however are only fillers, as far as I'm concerned.

"Blood On The Dance Floor" (video directed by Michael Jackson & Vincent Paterson, from the album "Blood On The Dancefloor", 1997)

Most people probably already forgot this remix album and... we can't blame them. Only one thing is to be remembered (and it's worth it), the title-song. One of my favorite 1990s Jackson song.

"Cry" (video directed by Nicholas Brandt, from the album "Invicible", 2001)

"Invicible" was a failed comeback. The album is neatly produced and enables Jackson to explore new ways. I might blame the poor choice in the singles for the reason of the declining sales. To this day, I think the limited editions with colored artwork are still available pretty much everywhere...

Still the King?

Michael Jackson is in the spotlight again, with the release of "Thriller 25", a remastered version of his legendary album (the most sold in the record history) with new versions of his hits featuring today's artists, in order to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its release.

"Rock With You" (video directed by Bruce Gowers, from the album "Off The Wall", 1980)

Many people "Off The Wall" is the first solo album by Michael Jackson, which isn't the case. From 1972 to 1975, he released 4 LPs from Motown. Granted, only a few minor hits were remembered from this period besides the poignant "One Day In Your Life". This brilliant album is certainly the revelation MJ, who performs his first successes, with "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough", "She's Out Of My Life" or "Rock With You".

"Thriller" (video directed by John Landis, from the album "Thriller", 1982)

"Thriller" is the record album we don't even need to present. It's the ultimate must-have! The figures concerning "Thriller" are amazing, I will only point out that 7 out of the total 9 trakcs of the album were released as singles!

"Smooth Criminal" (video directed by Colin Chilvers, taken from the album "Bad", 1987)

The much anticipated album "Bad" was the last collaboration Quincy Jones / Michael Jackson. It met great success, even if it doesn't reach the high sales of the previous album. As far as I'm concerned, "Bad" is the album to some of the best Michael Jackson songs such as "Liberian Girl", "Man In The Mirror" or "I Just Can't Stop Loving You".

"Remember The Time" (video directed by John Singleton, from the album "Dangerous", 1991)

The very dense and achieved "Dangerous" is a New Jack Swing masterpiece. Michael Jackson starts being a tabloid sensation with a lifestyle and a way of expressing himself that become every day more outrageous. Jackson dwells on the gigantic side with some major hits, impressive collaborations, amazing videos and a monstruous tour.

"Stranger In Moscow" (video directed by Nicholas Brandt, taken from the album "HIStory", 1995)

"HIStory" marks the beginning of a slowdown in the sales. Jackson is a little too much. However, this album treasures some very nice gems like "Scream", "Stranger In Moscow", "Earth Song", "HIStory", too many fillers though.

"Blood On The Dance Floor" (video directed by Michael Jackson & Vincent Paterson, taken from the album "Blood On The Dancefloor", 1997)

Most people will probably have forgotten this remix album and... we can't really blame them. One thing to remember, is the title track, which is one of my favorite '90s Jackson songs!

"Cry" (video directed by Nicholas Brandt, taken from the album "Invicible", 2001)

"Invicible" was a failed attempt to come back. The very well produced album enables Jackson to discover new ground. I think the poor choice of the singles might explain why this album didn't do that well... To this day, I think the 4-color limited edition cover is still available in stores everywhere...

Sugababes Vs. Girls Aloud

Great Britain has always have a long girls bands tradition, Bananarama had paved the way to legions of young more or less excited English ladies with average producers from the early '80s. In the '90s, the world is taken over by the Spice Girls hurricane, they stayed on top of the sales for years with efficient yet formated hits and some over the top flair and attitude. In the 2000s, with new standards - the music supply is expandable, a pseudo underground movement has risen -, and new formats - the reality-tv bubble and the multimedia oomph -, a new generation of girls bands has arrived with at least as much (maybe even more) appeal...

Sugababes - Easy (2006)

From 1998 on, 3 schoolyard girlfriends get together and become the very successful trio the Sugababes. Being very quiet in France, in the UK, they're the bomb and have a long string of #1s. Keisha Buchana, Siobhan Donaghy (who left in 2001), Muty Buena (left the band in 2005) were the original Sugababes, Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah replaced subsequently the departed members.

Girls Aloud - Jump (2003)

Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh are the lucky winners of 2002's "Popstars: The Rivals". I first hear about them with "Jump", the punchy Pointer Sisters's cover (1984) which is on the "Love Actually" soundtrack.

Sugababes - Push The Button (2005)

The Sugababes don't simply enjoy a public success, they gain the profession's recognition by winning several BRIT Awards.

Girls Aloud - Call The Shots (2007)

The new Girls Aloud single, pretty cool! The latest LP is awesome and has it all: energetic, upbeat, and very catchy too.

Sugababes - About You Now (2007)

The latest Sugababes single with now only one original member remaining. A hit with a little less commercial appeal, yet an interesting song with a glamorous video in tight little yellow dresses.

Girls Aloud - Biology (2005)
"Biology" is to my opinion one of the best Girls Aloud tracks, with a colorful, sexxxxy et hyper dynamique video.

Sugababes Vs. Girls Aloud - Walk This Way (2007)

The confrontation of the 2 bands occurs in 2007 with the pretty successful cover of the Aerosmith (1975) / Run DMC (1986) produced by Dallas Austin.

Further reading:
Girls Aloud (official site)
Sugababes (official site)

French chanson is not dead!

Stanislas - "Le Manège"
My song of the moment! I heard it different times on the radio and it ended up catching my attention. Then I hear it's produced by French pop superstar Calogéro... and it's exactly the feeling I had when I heard Stanislas : it sounds like Calogéro's early hits, before he compromised himself with too much easiness. I don't know much about Stanislas yet but let's keep an eye on him.


Vanessa Paradis - "Dès Que J'te Vois"
A strong value, with a track written by -M-, whom I'm not a big fan of even if I acknowledge his talent. Vanessa Paradis offers us a true moment of grace with a splendid video and one of the best tracks of the album.


Pauline Croze - "Jour de Foule"
Pauline Croze's first LP, sugar-coated with emotions and simplicity, was a critical success and it managed to seduce me frankly. She is back with a much colorful album with different influences, enabling her to confirm her talent. "Jour de Foule" might not be her best song, the video though, helps making it interesting.

Elodie Frégé - "La Fidélité"
Granted, Elodie Frégé is not a landmark of French pop. However, this track from her latest LP exhales a very nice folk touch. The first version of the video was directed by infamous French movie-maker Catherine Breillat.


Dionysos - "Tais-toi Mon Cœur"
French alternative rock is typically the kind of sound I don't like. However, Dionysos always detached itself from the bunch with its particular mood. The video reminds us of Tim Burton's poetic "Corpse Bride". And the chorus features vocals by Olivia Ruiz.

Dragonette + New Young Pony Club

Electro flavored new-rock has never been this much in the spotlight. It's a pleasure to see the rising of all new very promising bands.

Dragonette first, is a Canada-born but London-based band that I randomly discovered through an online listening. I was probably attracted by this odd band name and their flashy '80s cover arts. Of course, they can be found on MySpace too.

The two singles are pure hits that sadly went totally unnoticed in France...

Here are the videos to "I Get Around" (released in April 2007 in the UK) and "Take It Like A Man" (in July). The album "Galore" was released in September. The charismatick lead singer, Martina Sorbara, is a Canadian politician's daughter, which could be awckward considering the fact that Dragonette is a very gay-friendly band that regularly performs for community events such as the London Gay Pride in 2007. Yay!





New Young Pony Club (NYPC) has more of a rock sound. This new generation of new wave -- new new wave? -- is remarkably noticed for the efficiency of its sound that brings a very enjoyable sense of fun and madness to some already proven musical roots. Their MySpace : here.

The singer, Tahita Bulmer, is the lead of a London-based band that was born in 2005. Their first LP, "Fantastic Playroom", released in July 2007, is doing really good on both sides of the Atlantic and the band already solds out all the venues of its tour.

The singles "Get Lucky" and "Ice Cream" were re-released in 2007 because their original release in 2006 was not a commercial success - yet.

Kylie again?

Yes, her again.
A trace,
a proof!
(Thanks to the office scanner...)

Brannan signs

A souvenir from Jay Brannan's concert...

Cindy Sherman + Tori Amos

I already knew a little of the peculiar work of Cindy Sherman. But when I visited the exhibition "Passage du Temps" of the Pinault Collection at the Tri Postal in Lille, I was all the more suprised by the photographs of this unique artist.


Born in New Jersey in 1954, Cindy Sherman first studied painting before shifting progressively to photography. Her work features whole series of self-portraits. She's one of the few successfully influential women photographers of her time.


I particulartly enjoy the "Bus Rider Series" (1976/2005)...


... as well as "Murder Mystery Series" (1976/2005). More recently, the "Clowns Series" (2004/2005) embodied perfectly this mixed feeling of humor and controversy that is constant in Sherman's work.


In 1989, to protest against the censorship threats that some fellow photographers had to undergo, Sherman presented the "Sex Series" with outrageous disembodied characters. Her work has often been said to be feminist. She points out major social questions - racism, relation to the body, plastic surgery) through her vision in which her body conveys a message and is not the subject in itself.


I can't help thinking of pop icon Tori Amos when I gaze into Sherman's photographies. Amos's artwork for "Strange Little Girls" in 2001 or "American Doll Posse" in 2007 showed us a series of characters embodying stereotyped women who reflect a fascinatingly complex America.

Jens Lekman

I just bought a CD that I heard is excellent. It's a Swedish singer who is already releasing his second album. Some people say his music is very orchestrated and that he is a genius writer.



This is a single from the fist album, which I think, is ont as refined as "Night Falls Over Kortedala" (2007) named after a suburb of Gothenburg. This artist is definetely worth being listened to.
Some links to help you know better of him:
- his official website
- his MySpace <-- check it out

Enjoy!