i found this album recently while looking at the new releases on the Captured Tracks site, admittedly it was the album cover that immediately caught my eye, so i had to check it out. i know, i know, never judge a record by its cover, well sometimes it's hard to resist, besides this is why the internet is so great, you can preview before you buy, et "Automelodi" does not disappoint!
Automelodi is Montreal-based synth wave artist Xavier Paradis, the outstanding song Buanderie Jazz features on his recently released self-titled album, but the track first appeared on his debut ep "Fait Ses Courses" (2009), so for many this has already been a favourite track i'm sure.
Automelodi's fresh et sophisticated sound has its roots in the obscure 80s synth wave movements that have had a great resurgence over the last few years with the re-releasing {unearthing/defrosting} of several comprehensive compilations of cold wave et minimal wave music by key bands from France, Belgium et Netherlands. Paradis' blend of synth wave could slide right in with some of the originals {Martin Dupont} almost seamlessly, yet he manages to succeed in creating his own unique perspective et (re)interpretation of these now familiar genres. Automelodi recaptures the romanticism et suaveness of 80s new wave et updates those warm/'cold' analog synth sounds we all know et love.
tick tick tick blam! Buanderie Jazz opens dramatically with a warped/elasticized sounding guitar drowning in reverb {as if it were melting under the heat of the stage lights}, add to this throbbing/droning synthesizers, snappy/crisp percussion programming, et of course the suave sensual French vocals which blend together perfectly to produce an excitingly new, yet oh so familiar sound, that will obsess your mind, body et soul!
oh, et i can't forget about what drew me to this album in the first place, the cover art! it's so iconic, a thing of beauty, the brooding French teenager who won't stand still for a photograph ... like Francis Bacon smearing his hand over a Matisse painting! ... it's amazing how a few blue horizontal stripes speak volumes! vivre la synth wave revolution!
MP3: Buanderie Jazz
you should definitely check out Automelodi's self titled album et also his awesome "Fait Ses Courses" ep, which contains some great tracks not on the new album! they are both available form Weird Records on cd/lp, Captured Tracks et itunes ...
et here is a cool live/music video for Buanderie Jazz. charismatic frontman Xavier Paradis is certainly channeling Ian Curtis with his gestures, performance et collared/buttoned-up military-style shirt!
the Automelodi myspace is here.
if you like what you hear then definitely check out these great cold wave, minimal wave et French synth wave compilations, they are available from itunes or amazon among other online sources
The Minimal Wave Tapes: Volume One here
Cold Waves And Minimal Electronics Vol.1 here
So Young But So Cold (Underground French Music 1977-1983) here
Bippp: French Synth Wave 1979-85 here
well, i'm off to get an undercut!!!
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