Search - Alain Bashung :: Fantaisie Militaire

Love, worship, regrets, everything important is in it.

Francois Laagel | Morristown, NJ USA | 05/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am quite a newbie when it comes to Bashung's works, but this one is a masterpiece you cannot avoid if you're in love. Of course, the understanding of the French language helps a lot, but even from a purely musical standpoint, this is a CD that is worth joining your collection.In one of his songs, the popular French singer Renaud used to say: "Non, mon pote, c'est pas du Nietzsche, c'est du Bashung." Track #2 (La nuit je mens) confirms his opinion. While listening to this song one could wonder what's best, love or the "souvenir" of it. Track #3 (Fantaisie militaire) is the one from which the name of the record was borrowed from and to me sounds like a schizoid version of "Ne me quitte pas" by Jacques Brel (not to be listened to if you've just been dropped by your girlfriend). Track #4 (2043) is a little more positive, although it tells us from a futuristic world in which "Cendrillon" has been put to sleep for 45 years. In the meantime, the main character gives himself a chance to solve his own problems and ultimately to conquer her heart. There is a reference to Rousseau's concept of God here, reference to which I personally subscribe. Track #5 (Mes prisons) is one of those I prefer on this record. It's probably only a guy's thing. If you ever suffered because you were in love without someone, you'll know what Alain means here. "Ode a la vie" (track #6) is, as I understand it, about the transition from being single to living as a couple. The reference to the "sopalin" (aluminium paper) is quite clear to this respect. Track #7 (Dehors) is also wonderful. The message here is that love is something extremely fragile, which requires proximity, honesty and sacrifices ("Effet de serre, ma vie sous verre, s'avere ebrechee"). Track #8 (Aucun express) is a real marvel, a genuine worship song by a man to the woman he lives with. This song has a deliberate "spacial" sound - it's my preferred one on this record. "Au pavillons des lauriers" (track #10) hits a little closer to the "core" of the love process. It has an interesting Arabic musical inspiration. The people who appreciate Peter Gabriel's works are likely to enjoy this one. There's also this unavoidable connection between love and craziness ("Je veux rester fou"). Track #11 ("Sommes-nous") is about regrets and the "souvenir" of love. It is marked by numerous references to non-answering phones and loneliness by Christmas time ("Seuls m'ont laisse les jouets par milliers"), which was when the lyrics for this song were probably written. "Angora," is not just a breed of cats, it is also the title of track #12 and the reason for this wonderful verse "La discorde qu'on a seme, a la surface des regrets, n'a pas pris."This CD has many very specific souvenirs connected with it as far as I'm concerned. I cannot listen to it without thinking of you, Catherine."