Various - Paris Calling

  by Adrian Huggins

published: 7 / 3 / 2007

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Review

'Paris Calling’ is not only the title but also the theme and aim of this compilation which has come out as a joint collaboration between Because Music and Bonus Track Records. It is a snapshot of what is happening in music currently in Paris. Now as we all know Paris is world renowned as being very hip. For the most part the music on this album does nothing to quash that well-earned rumour. There are some great sounds on here, although it would be too much to call any of it particularly original. Opening with Second Sex’s ‘Lick My Boots’ you get the impression that what is happening in Paris is not that far away from what has been happening in London or New York. Can the Parisians…the inhabitants, not just the band of the same name, however, live up though to the same standards as their world famous art, fashion and cuisine. Well, from this collection of songs, yes, I do believe they can. While most of the bands on this album including The Parisians (yes the band – My, this is confusing), Anglo-American-French band Brooklyn and the Rolls all have a distinct Libertines/Babyshambles/Strokes style garage rock sound, it all feels completely honest and genuine. At no point do you find yourself feeling like you are listening to a cheap rip off. There are some great tunes on here such as the Rolls' ‘Time’, the fast paced ‘Lick my Boots’ and ‘Clandestine’ by the fantastic Brooklyn. Branching out from these the Hell Boys don’t seem quite as up to date with their French take on 1950's psychobilly/rockabilly Americana inspired rock which is anything but original. At the same time is done well and without the pretension of wanting to be something it is not. The Plasticines are an all female band who play great speedy, sleazy punk rock with a real late 70’s/ early 80’s feel. No one can deny that female French accent is damn sexy. At this point I must add that I would love to tell you a bit more about each band, but as the sleeve notes about the respective bands are in French and none of them mention introducing one's name, asking for a bread stick or a “one return ticket to Bordeaux, thank you”, I find myself at a bit of a loss as to their full origins and history. There are some good bands on here though. For all our belief in Britain that we’re all open minded the fact is that maybe some of these bands would have been big names had they come out of London or somewhere else in Britain, rather than France Our friends over the channel do ntend to get over looked. Other than Air and Daft Punk I am ashamed to admit that I can not off the top of my head name any other successful other bands from that region. Please check some of these bands out. Such a fantastic city is bound to produce some great music in the same way as the likes of Manchester, New York, LA, and London all do. Why not embrace our European counterparts and give some of them with 'Paris Calling' a good listen ?

Track Listing:-

1 Second Sex- Lick My Boots
2 Plastiscines- Shake (Twist Around The Fire)
3 Les Shades- Like I'm A Man
4 Brooklyn- Heart Lies
5 The Hellboys- Besoin De Rien
6 The Parisians- Why Choose One Side
7 The Rolls- Time
8 Plastiscines- Rake
9 The Parisians- The City
10 Brooklyn- Clandestine
11 Les Shades- L'enfant Prodige
12 The Hellboys- Burn It Down
13 The Rolls- Heaven To Hell