LES POUMONS GONFLÉS

4.5 stars. In my opinion this is ETRON FOU LELOUBLAN's best release. It's almost like they decided to get serious (not completely) and create music where the listeners focus would be on their very impressive talents, instead of being side tracked by lots of silliness. In light of that you can see why they brought in Fred Frith to produce the album and help them out on various levels, including playing on a couple of tracks (guitar and violin). I think Fred deserves a ton of credit for how amazing this record sounds, so powerful and clear. This would be Jo's first album with the band and she rips it up on her Farfisa organ and adds some trumpet and lots of piano as well. I should mention that there are some great pictures of Fred and the band in the recording studio and playing live.

"Nicolas" is such a catchy track and there is so much going on. I like the vocals too. The sound gets more intense before 2 1/2 minutes. An impressive instrumental display a minute later. They slow things down on the next track "Mimi". Reserved vocals to open. Electronics and more passionate vocals follow. Emotional. It settles back as he speaks the lyrics. "Exposition Universelle" is a short instrumental that features drums, percussion and other sounds that come and go. "Nicole" is dominated by sax, drums and bass early as vocals join the party. This isn't very melodic but i'm impressed. Organ comes in followed by vocals 4 minutes in. Nice bass too. "La Musique" is such a pleasue to "listen" to with all those intricate sounds weaving in and out and around each other.Then it changes when deep vocals arrive before 1 1/2 minutes. Amazing sound ! Intense and powerful.

"Christine" rocks out pretty good. Vocals a minute in. Love the guitar (Fred). It settles before 2 1/2 minutes with spoken words and choas. Kicks back in at 3 minutes. Intense 4 1/2 minutes in then bass and sax take over and vocals return. "Those Different Waters" opens with experimental sounds as filtered vocals come in. I can't help but think of Inspector Clouseau when he starts to talk with that French accent (haha). It changes 2 1/2 minutes in to the end with horns. "Upsalla" is a 2 minute track that opens with some great bass and drums. Keyboards and sax join in as well. "Prefero" has this incredible sound that is so full and rich as sax plays over top. Spoken words 1 1/2 minutes in. That good beat with sax is back as contrasts continue. "Pas L'sou" again opens with drums and bass as sax comes in then spoken words. Some dissonance before a minute then they get a little silly. Hey they did well to contain it this long. Contrasts continue.

I can't say enough good things about this album. A masterpiece from the eighties.