Search - Indochine :: Paradize

C'est par ici que tout recommencera! By far their best!

francofemme | New York, NY | 06/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Through the ups and downs with the band over the years Nicola Sirkis has done a great job perservering, and has finally come out on top! I love the new line-up, the new style of music, and the new image... I love it all. OK, so these guys come across as big bad hard core punk/goth rockers at first impression, but not to worry. They're completely harmless. They're Frenchmen. And as Frenchmen do best, they talk of love, passion, and romance.



The music might sound a bit heavier when you first put it on, but you'll quickly get used to the new sound and actually come to embrace it after a few listens. For me it only took two. Some of the songs are hard and fast and then some of them are beautiful and slow. I play Paradize almost every day. It's a great pick-me-upper. There's a youthful spirit, great energy, and great emotion all pent up in this album. So when you play it, play it LOUD!



As usual, when Nicola sings, one always listens to what he has to say. The hermit lifestyle, quite a popular theme in Paradize, never sounded so good and so cool. In a handful of songs, Nicola talks much of staying indoors, locked up, with great fear of the outside world. His lyrics have always served as great inspiration, as well as great insight into some small corners of life. They still do. Some of them may end up meaning something special to you. A few examples are:

- "On se disait quelquefois que c'etait juste une aventure, et que ca ne durerait pas." (J'ai Demande a la Lune)

- "Moi je veux vivre un peu plus fort." (Marilyn)

In Punker, he will ask you several times, "Est-ce que tu viendrais faire le sexe avec moi?" What will you answer? A bit of a bite from Patti LaBelle's 'Lady Marmalade' but definitely one of my most favorite sing-a-long Indo songs.



This album does not disappoint. It still continues on with the Indochine legacy. They do a great job at keeping the new wave/punk/underground/industrial spirit alive in the new millenium.

I'm wishing they were better known in North America, but Quebec will have to do for now. Impatiently and anxiously awaiting the next album and their next visit to Montreal!

"

Funny Little Frenchmen, Noveau Vague 20 ans apres le fait

Charles Curtis | Jackman, Maine | 12/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great album. It's like vintage Depeche Mode or New Order in all it's arch hip goofiness, only very slightly darker, not quite as pop (but very close! Not to worry!) in French & twenty years late..



Or is it late? It all started with those crazy French to begin with, no? Back in the sixties? Isn't New Wave nothing more than Rive Gauche artiness, androgyny, faux intellectuallism & caberet style (clothes! make up! hair!) all fused with that punk rock sensibility? Maybe it's not late, just perpetual?



It's great stuff, anyhow. Dig it, man. Dig it. Creuse-le, mon frere.



Heh heh.



Let me just reccomend you cue up the title track "Paradize," then "Mao Boy!" (Mao Boy! Love the title!) and "J'ai Demandé À La Lune" (FANTASTIC song - "Je n'ai pas grand chose à te dire, et pas grand chose pour te faire rire, car j'imagine toujours le pire et le meilleur me fait souffrir.." Such angst, quelle tristesse! Those poor tortured little Frenchboys..)



Then there is the gorgeously titled "Popstitute" (heh heh - no English speaking band would dare, probably, which is why I thank God we have the French & Germans..) a slightly bouncy incessant tune, garnished with electronic effects. I like the last song, Un Signe En Hiver, too, which opens with a minute of piano accompanied singing before the drum machine kicks in and drives us to a slight uptempo finish.



Those are the honorable mentions. If you enjoy retro 80's music and like French, then this is the band (and album) for you. Achete-le."

Paradize - that's where you end up, listening to this album.

ludo242 | Augusta, ME United States | 11/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lyrics are great, arrangements are excellent, the songs are awesome. A new Indochine. I picked my CD in Quebec while visiting. What a great album to listen to at home or on the road! I also picked the Rita Mitsouko CD and enjoyed the various beats and sounds from both albums. French techno with excellent lyrics."