Feb 042008
She’s also legendary in many circles for the classic rocker “Laisse Tomber les Filles,” which April March turned into her own “Chick Habit” about the same time that I was discovering Miss Gall’s music for myself.
However, because of both prevailing French musical tastes and Gall’s own musical background (the teenage pop star was the daughter of Roger Gall, a noted producer and songwriter), she also recorded a number of overtly jazzy songs, such as the slinky “Bebe Requin” and the lovely ballad “Pense a Moi.”
(the latter one lacks The Pretty, but it’s such a good song, it bears a listen regardless)
Great question and write up, Great One. The first artist that comes to mind for me is The Undertones. NOT because I have a thing for scrawny Irish teens in floods, mind you, and not that there’s anything wrong with that…
When I saw their first album in a used bin in South Street’s old Book Trader, I was drawn into their fun, goofy Look. I’d read just enough about them to know they were a punk band I should check out, but I’m pretty sure I’d never heard a lick of their music. I simply loved what the cover shot promised. They looked a lot like how I felt when hanging with my high school friends/bandmates. To this day, when hanging with almost that exact lot, I still feel like a scrawny, goofy Irish teen wearing floods. It’s a good feeling, and the music lived up to the promise of the Look.
http://tralfaz-archives.com/coverart/U/undertonesf.jpg
Joy Division’s Closer. First spied the LP at Inner Sanctum Records in Austin in 1980. The cover haunted me, and as a moody 17-year old, I wanted to be haunted. Luckily, the music also rocked (which is what ultimately made them so great.) From the first few notes of “Atrocity Exhibition,” I knew I’d made the right purchase.
Still felt that way a couple of months ago when I put it on again after going to see Control. The working-class angst beneath it all served them well.
France Gall. Nice choice. I fell hard for Juliette Greco. http://eliptikon.blogspot.com/2007/02/juliette-greco-il-n-plus-d.html
Oh, speaking of Gainsbourg, have you head Benjamin Biolay? Definitely influenced by Serge. Among other things. the one below sounds a bit like The Church as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23eLeo2ArOs
Ah, Undertones. Absolutely. I was in Rocky Mountain Records in early 1983 and I saw the UK version of the first album in the remainder bin for 49 cents. One look and I just thought “Yes. I must have this.” Still one of my favorite albums of all time.
They didn’t have a lot of true staying power with me, but I would have to say “The Milkshakes”. I loved their look on “14 Rhythm and Beat Greats” and I really dug that album for many years.
Boney M without a doubt.
kidding.
The Nick Cave poster that hung in the stairway of 3rd st jazz called to me for a few years before i picked up the disc.
Tender Prey was the album.
so good.
I think the last album I bought for purely Look reasons was “Rules” by Supagroup. It’s not often a Look-inspired blind purchase pays off, but for me, this one did!
http://gauntlet.ucalgary.ca/~gauntlet/eg/eg2/20050811/Supagroup-web.jpg
Townsman Chickenfrank… can you appreciate the appeal of this album cover?
I’m pretty sure I started buying Neko Case CDs based purely on some magazine photos.