Search - Zebda :: Utopie D'Occase

Vive La Nouvelle France!

Ancient Fuzz | 12/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Zebda hail from Toulouse, France, where they have been the object of quite a bit of controversy. Their first record sported a cover of a Palestinian with a slingshot, and they namechecked Arafat favorably in their lyrics. As Zebda are of Arab ancestry as well, that probably isn't so surprising; but really, the band is against any form of fascism they come across. This lends their lyrics (in French) a special significance, as they discuss -- unflinchingly -- what the immigrant experience is like in contemporary France.

Their prior two records, "Le Bruit et L'Odeur" and "Essence Ordinaire," were flat-out astonishing -- a perfect blend of funk, rap, dub, middle-eastern sounds and melodies, and rock. Honestly, after hearing those records, I thought that no other band had sounded so urgent since the Clash (God bless ye, Mr. Strummer).

And now "Utopie d'Occase." I love every track here. The band seems to have matured, too, as the sounds on the record are a bit more chill -- but believe me, this CD makes you want to dance like bloody crazy and sing in a language that you don't know. The beats are still great, and I'm willing to overlook that Zebda sort of re-write 'Le Petit Robert' from "Essence" for one track here. The flat-out joy of "C'est la fete" is enough to get the body rocking and the room moving. If you want to here the dawn of a new day in France -- and hopefully not the xenophobic, anti-Semitic France -- then you better get hip to Zebda, one of the biggest groups in the country now, boy-e-e-e-e."

When music has a meaning...

Ancient Fuzz | 01/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is quite obvious that Zebda has matured when you listen to "Utopie d'Occase". The musical arrangements are sleek and smooth and hold a certain perfection that only comes with long reflexion and less impulsiveness. The tunes are as catchy and interesting as before but in a different way, and the lyrics have gained in complexity. Nothing is black or white anymore (than ever) in the world of Zebda, and it is a very nice thing to hear.
You have to love a band that has a profound disdain for "labels", prejudices and dust-catching concepts, whomever they might apply to. And you have to be thankful for politically charged music that carries a great tune and a sensible, very interesting message at the same time. How often do you hear such thing on the radio?
Listen to J'Y Suis J'Y Reste, Melee Ouverte, Sheitan, Troisieme Degre (or Le Petit Robert having lost its innocence) and Le Repertoire... and discover Zebda's best ever.
Great music, great lyrics. Truly intoxicating."