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Fugu 1
Fugu
Fugu 1
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (16) - Disc #1

Although Laetitia Sadier (of Stereolab) and John Cunningham (of High Lamas) certainly leave their mark on their contributions to Fugu, Vol.1, the debut from French pop maestro Fugu (and his 20-piece orchestra) has much mor...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Fugu
Title: Fugu 1
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Minty Fresh
Original Release Date: 1/1/2001
Re-Release Date: 9/4/2001
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Styles: Indie & Lo-Fi, Euro Pop, French Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 796627004124

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Although Laetitia Sadier (of Stereolab) and John Cunningham (of High Lamas) certainly leave their mark on their contributions to Fugu, Vol.1, the debut from French pop maestro Fugu (and his 20-piece orchestra) has much more to offer. The beautifully composed piano and organ pieces here are embellished by harpsichord, strings, siren, and even a wailing baby, with much of the album sounding like fellow Brian Wilson obsessives Gorky's Zygotic Mynci. Indeed, the rural lyrics on "Baragan" sound spookily similar to that band's brand of gentle psychedelic folk-pop. But Fugu's romance isn't with a mythical folk heritage. The complex, polished harmonies of tracks like "Triple Bass" recall Pet Sounds, and "Pianolyre" is like an acid-driven trip to the fairground via Sgt. Pepper's. It's light yet intimate '60s pop all the way for Fugu, and thank God he decided to take us along. --Caroline Butler

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CD Reviews

Great Album for fans of great pop masterpieces!
09/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mehdi Zannad, a gifted French multi-instrumentalist, leads Fugu. Full of
archetypal pop references and sweeping shots of symphonic wonder, Fugu 1 is
a proverbial sound maze where each instrument deftly follows it's
predetermined path. The little untitled piece opening Fugu 1 - a blend of
piano intermingling with a series of minor and major chords, a cello, a
trumpet, an organ, a splash of ocean for sonic background, a dusting of
kitchen noises, and a dry, soft bass line weaving a spider web - sets the
tone for the entire album. Wander between vivid strings, woodwind, brass
and choir; follow the harpsichords surrounding Mehdi Zannad's fragile
voice, so shy that it blends in with the surrounding soundscapes. This is
lush pop - orchestral, continental, and classic - mining touchstones from
The Beatles, Beach Boys, and Harry Nilsson to early-Stereolab and The
Apples In Stereo. But Mehdi is no mere retro-worshipping revisionist,
Fugu's approach results in exuberant, melodic music as relevant as the air
shimmering with Fugu's music from your speakers to your ears. Even
Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier brings her talents to the party, lending her
soothing vocals to the hypnotic pop hymn "Sol Y Sombra.""
Frustrating
Tarkus | 09/18/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know - maybe I got a different album. This album is one of those frustrating ones that you end up never playing because of a few songs. The baby crying one? Oh my. What were they thinking. I am all for exprimental tunes, but the baby has to go. That is the one that immediately comes to mind.
Half of the album is wonderful, brillant, catchy. The other half is tedious and annoying.
I bought this used thinking it would be a steal, but now i may burn the few tracks i like and resell it.darn."
Simply faboo
Tarkus | 09/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't think the power of my prose could match that of our fellow pop fan in NYC, but I will definitely second the notion that 'Fugu 1' is a wonderful piece of contemporary post-orch. Fans of 'Pet Sounds,' the High Llamas, Nilsson, Stereolab (they're touring together this fall!), Katerine, Emitt Rhodes, and any other bit of well-crafted pop should appreciate 'Fugu 1'. It's a great summer-time, roll the windows down and drive kind of album. Too bad summer's coming to a close, but you do have a few good weeks in the sun with this disc. Hop to it!"