Search - Mylene Farmer :: Avant Que L'ombre

A phenomenal, mature work

J. I. Sizemore | Jamestown, North Carolina United States | 05/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mylene Farmer is known for her evolving musical style, her incredible vocabulary and complex cultural references. Her word play and her complexity of composition make the reasons she refuses to put together an English album very evident: you can't perform the same 'jeux de mots' using English.



Always unafraid of broaching the subjects of religion, politics, death, sex, love, and pain - this album defies her usual 'poppiness' by propelling into darker electronica. You get the feeling Mylene Farmer has moved from what had become predictable melancholy into...a, well melancholy version 2.0. She's in love, now...and the melancholy that is present on the album is more like wistful remembrance.



I'll give you a critique of the tracks...



(1) Avant Que L'Ombre (Before the Shadows...): the title track to the album - it has to be one of her strongest ballads to date. The song takes on the form of a prayer to God about fear and risk and love. Amazing high note at the end. Hauntingly beautiful.



(2) F*** Them All: the first single released - you get the feeling she used the expletive in the title to garner a bit of attention to her new album (though this was unnecessary as it was a number one pre-seller for months before its release). The video is beautiful and the themes of the song cover chauvinism, anti-war sentiment, and a commentary on shallowness. An interesting juxtaposition of themes with a somewhat bizarre arrangement.



(3)Dans Les Rues de Londres (In the Streets of London): inspired by 2003's "The Hours," this song traces sentiments and possible feelings of the tragic author Virginia Woolf. It is a really beautiful song reminiscent of "Hey Amigo" on Alizee's album "Mes Courants Electriques" (also penned by Farmer).



(4)QI (I.Q.): a play of words between "cul" in french and the letter "Q" (they both have the same pronunciation...save for "cul" means ass). A flirty song in that she says that although her boyfriend has a nice 'ass,' it was his I-Q that drew her to him. References to Rodin's sculptures and the identification with those sappy feelings of loving every little thing about someone save this song from being a bit cheesy.



(5)Redonne-moi (Give back to me): A beautiful ballad (read: typical Boutonnat-Farmer partnership) about trust and disappointment. A bit slow, melodically.



(6)Porno Graphique (Graphic Porno): One of the gems of the album. With zingers like: "je te dis qu'il n'y a pas d'porno chic" (there's no such thing as chic porn)...word play abounds, including rather naughty references to oral fixations. Really dark electronic arrangement...minor key...phenomenal song. A truly sexy, interesting song.



(7)Derriere Les Fenetres (Behind the Windows): Another slower ballad with beautiful lyrics - follows Farmer's musings on what might go on behind the windows of peoples' homes.



(8)Aime (Love): Another cute, up-tempo flirty song reinforcing the idea that the songstress is finally in love and has dropped a bit of the melancholy. This is very much a 'throwback' to Innamoramento - a very remixed album. Upbeat electro-arrangement. If it's released as a single, expect Innamoramento-era remixes with the digi-pack.



(9)Tous ces combats (All of those fights): A slower Boutonnat-Farmer ballad about lover's quarrels. A bit unimaginative, melodically.



(10)Ange, parle-moi (Angel, Speak to Me): A really beautiful song about love, trust, doubting God, prayer, and looking for divine intervention. Reminiscent of Jewel's "Angel Standing By" and Nathalie Cardone's "Mon Ange" (which, ironically was penned by Laurent Boutonnat...Mylene's composer).



(11)L'amour n'est rien (Love is nothing): A very flirty song implying you have to take risks to make your love something out of the ordinary. Arguably the most chipper song on the album.



(12)J'attends (I'm waiting): Another ballad



(13)Peut-etre toi (Maybe you): Another up-tempo dance track that remixers will have a field day with...lyrically not as complex as most of Farmer's songs, it is a very enjoyable song dealing with the same themes as many of the other more upbeat songs: Mylene's in love and is going to sing about it.



(14)Et pourtant (And However...)/Nobody Knows (a hidden track): a striking ballad that ends the album...and then a phenomenal hidden track "Nobody Knows." Mylene's played a lot more with English on this album...and it pays off with this haunting, darkly electronic track.



Overall, this album is a bit of a change for Farmer. The common thread running through the songs is her recent successful relationship with one of the artists she collaborated with on the video clip for "C'est une belle journee." The sadness, death, religion, sex commentary is still there - but the hopefulness that rises from the minor key arrangements is something rather remarkable. Anamorphosee was Farmer's rock-pop ticket to change for the 90's. Innamoramento was her pensive life-questioning album that blended ballad with power-house electronic arrangements. Avant Que L'Ombre is the culmination of an extremely successful 20-year career (she is, in fact, the most successful French artist of all time...and no wonder). It's an evolution and a finesse that mark this album as something different from the pack. I'd challenge anyone to find any other artist in the WORLD who had such profound lyrics and such layered, complex musical arrangements. And of course, the intricate packaging is amazing. I even purchased a collector's edition (from France) that was an oversized (18"x18") velvet box with a giant coffee table book verstion of the album. She's the queen of marketing, the queen of lyrics, the queen of arrangements. And whether you love her or hate her...you have to admit you admire her.

"

Mylene does it again!

Ronnie Burnett | New Orleans, LA | 07/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those of you that thought Mylène was running out of steam, think again. It has been six years since Innamoramento and her music has done nothing but improved. Avant que L'ombre is her most somber and mature ablum thus far. Every song is filled with emotion and her stunning vocals. The title track, J'attends, Tous les combats, Aime, Dans les rues de londres, QI, Ange parle-moi and Et pourtant are my personal favorites. This is an album that gets better every time you listen to it. For those new to Mylène, I would still reccomend Anamorphosée or Innamoramento first, but for those of you that know her music then this is a must have."

Tres-Chic et Fantastique

Jose Hernandez | 09/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I came across this CD at a music store in my home town

San Diego. I was looking in the french section and came across Ms. Mylene. I had never heard of her, but I feel in love with the cover and bought the cd. Not knowing what to expect, I played it. Track after track I must say was great. Ever SOOOOOOOO Sexy. Her lyrics are very complex but easy to understand. Anyone who is looking for that one cd that brings darkness, intelect and sex together, this is that cd. Make sure that you buy the Digipack, the dvd adds to the Mylene experience."