Monade - Monstre Cosmic

by Anthony Strutt

published: 6 / 3 / 2008

Label: Too Pure
Format: CD

Enjoyable and engaging experimental pop on third album from Monade, the other band of Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier, which she sings upon in both French and English

Review

Monade is the other band of Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier, and ‘Monstre Cosmic’ is their third album release since Laetitia formed the group back in 1996. The difference between the two projects is that, while Tim Gane is the songwriter in Stereolab, Laetitia is in charge of Monade and writes all the songs for that project. It opens with ‘’Noir-Noir’ which is short and moody and features synths and lonesome piano. ‘Etoile’ follows shortly afterwards. It is like a continuation of that track, but is more upbeat, sung in French and has a dippy bass line. This track is so Gallic that you can smell the coffee on it. ‘Lost Language’ is lush in sound, with elegant strings and a cool late 60's/early 70's retro feel, while ‘Elle Topo’, which is sung like 'Lost Language' in English, has an air of Nico about it. ‘Messe Joyeuse’ is another French track. It is reminiscent of Tindersticks in its string arrangements and would sit well also on the soundtrack to ‘The Wicker Man’, ‘Regarde’ is jazzy and smooth, sung as a French duet, while English track ‘Invitation’, with its sad trumpet, has a great late night vibe. ‘Tout En Tout Est Un’ has more of a groove and is very retro, while ‘Entre Chien Et Loup’ is more reflective and slow. The last track ‘Change of Destination’ is light and summery. The second half sounds like it was recorded in a train station. At the end of the CD, after ‘Change of Destination’, there is an uncredited secret track, which sounds like a French groove-based version of the Foo Fighters, but is more experimental and sung in French with a male vocal. A thoroughly enjoyable album of experimental pop.

Track Listing:-

1 Noir-Noir
2 Etoile
3 Lost Language
4 Elle Topo
5 Messe Joyeuse
6 Regarde
7 Invitation
8 Tout en Tout Est Un
9 Entre Chien et Loup
10 Change of Destination
11 White Light (Hidden Track)
12 Change of Destination Again

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Interviews

Interview (2008)

Primarily known for being the singer with the experimental rock group Stereolab, Laetitia Sadier formed a second group, Monade, in 1996, which has just released its third album. At a Monade gig at the Borderline in London she speaks to Anthony Strutt about her work with both groups