Search - Bernard Lavilliers :: Champs du Possible

Skillfully Varied Album - Inspired By Gainsbourg

Bjorn Clasen | Rolléngergronn, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Europe | 10/26/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Lavilliers spans over a wide range of musical genres. From the soulful ballad 'Minha Selva' with its soft female choir and tempered yet controlled guitar interludes, via the catchy rock hit 'Madones' with its pretty straight forward though musically artistic feel, the reggae song 'Grosse Galette', and to the very jazzy 'Femme-Objet' with its crispy trumpets, piano prop-ups and African drums.Often, Lavilliers sounds like Serge Gainsbourg, or at least he wants to. One of the best examples on 'Champs Du Possible' is the opener 'Troisièmes Couteaux', a well-arranged song, and one of the best on this album. The instrument section is great, and Lavilliers' vocals are quietly machoing their French philosophy on top. Typically Gainsbourg.The most beautifully sung song on 'Champs Du Possible' is the title track. Calmly harmonic and with a good support from every single instrument.3 stars. An extra one for being so musically varied AND skilled, showing off in a number of genres - but one off since there is not one REALLY great song on the album.Pity for the cover, by the way. The original CD cover is a beautiful Brad Holland painting."