Search - Axel Bauer :: Sentinelles

A whole lotta of 'cargo de nuit'

08/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you ever would decide upon buying a french record (or one more french record), I argue it should either be "Melody Nelson" by Serge Gainsbourg, "Le manteau de pluie" by Jean-Louis Murat or this record. Axel's carreer started of with the mega-hit "Cargo de nuit" ("Et cette machine dans ma tête..."). An english version of this synthesizer-driven classic was included on his first record "Les nouveaux seigneurs" (please, EMI, or whoever's in control now, re-release this record, as Boris Vian once wrote: Every piece of art should be obtainable at any time). The same kind of perfect synth-pop as the above-mentioned "Cargo de nuit" you'll find in abondance on this second record: "Maria", "Sentinelle", "Métamorphosis", "Dance on", to name just a few of them. The more guitar-rock orientated songs like the single "Eteins la lumière" et "Révolution" sound great as well: by the way, it'san enormous pleasure to hear Axel perform them live. What can I say more to convince you upon buying this record? All the songs really have a different soundscape: Jean-Louis Aubert (formerly of Téléphone) lends a hand on "Révolution", there is accordeon and guimbarde on "Métamorphosis", there is an intriguing Russian-voice rap on "Salam", the synths sound different on every song, and so on... I liked a lot most part of Axel's third release (last year's "Simple Mortel", especially the songs "OO Zen", "Laisse venir" et "Angel", but on Sentinelles all of the songs were no less then great!"