LANGUAGES FANTASTIQUES

If Justine's debut album was a pleasant and still accessible album, their second (and last so far) Laguages Fantastiques takes things to their logical farther step (and sometimes downright feminist, Québecoises obligent ;o))), making this album much less accessible, but ultimately more rewarding. The band had become so tight that they recorded "live" this much more complex album in just three days in July 94. An unchanged line-up now sees then- newcoming bassist Trudeau now filly integrated in the band and participates in the (lesser than previously) vocals as well.

Right from the start, the Mid-eastern sounding sax from leader Joane Hétu will give a unique colour to La Cigale s'Impatiente, obviously referring to Lafontaine's fables, but the track veers dissonant by the end of the short sung passage. The rest is just an impressive rebuilding process, where Danielle's drum and Marie's bass are outstanding and the tension created by Diane's keyboards is sooo tense. Manigances And Quem Sabe are much in the same vein, the sung tracks playing tricks and plays on words, and if not funny, the texts are at least amusing and often well adapted to the music? or should I say the music fits the words? In either case, this is still Hétu's boat and her sax playing is simply dazzling. Things get downright weird with the very strange Vidanges Domestiques, where the texts are now declaimed on acid over white and electronic noises, and the quartet tests your patience and forgiveness for making it a bit long.

This second album sees Joanne and the girls pushing RIO and avant-prog so far down the line, that Miriodor or Interference Sardine might sound a little lame next to the extreme attack of Justine's music. Seeing the girls live would've been a really special evening out. Not really recommended to everyone, but if you dare it, you'll probably love it.