Sorry, I forgot these cats! You should check them out. For the last seven to eight years, to Dutch music scene became boring and the Belgium one became great.

Everytime I see these peeps I think of the band Blondie. Not just cuz of the looks.
The style is not new wave, but... techno-pop. You will love this. Check out their webcast at www.fabchannel.com
They can't really sing, but they're fun!

Who are they?

Thanks for the tip, Goo! I need those Roisin Murphy files again.

I went to the site and it appears that Bright Eyes is now featured. What's the name of the band, Goo?

I found it, Goo, and love it! Great tip!

Moonbeam said:

Who is it?

GangstaFam said:

Vive le Fete. Very 80s synth pop/dance. Check it out if you can!

Heehee

I was really out of it, hu?

It was indeed Vive La Fete.

And Bright Eyes already performed here. I made another thread about it! It is on fabchannel, my latest favourite site.

But he is performing again TONIGHT, so check it out!

Moonbeam said:

Did you see her performance on fab? What did you think?

HamsterHuey said:

No I didn't see it! All of those files got erased.

Moonbeam said:

www.fabchannel.com has got a webcast, is what I meant.

It is still online.

I've been searching for Vive la Fete records but no one seems to have them!

I finally tracked down Nuit Blanche and absolutely adore it. Here's my review.



Vive la Fête- Nuit Blanche
4.5 stars

I must preface this review with the admission that I do not speak French. Personally, I find it difficult to fully appreciate an artist without the ability to comprehend the lyrics. Nevertheless, with Belgian band Vive la Fête I have been able to transcend the language barrier and unabashedly adore an album of which I understand not a word.

Above all else, Nuit Blanche is an album dripping in the sound of early 80s dark, seedy synth pop, not too far removed from the textures of Soft Cell and Depeche Mode. The comparisons to "a modern day Blondie" as depicted in "KL" are somewhat relevant as well, if only for the image of lead singer Els Pynoo. While her voice is neither powerful nor particularly noteworthy, it conveys a lot of the energy and raw desire of yore. Armed with synthesizers, driving beats, a strong sense of melody and attitude, Vive la Fête defies the listener to not have a good time.

The album opens with the throbbing octave bass of the fantastic title track. Set to a minor key like most of the album, the synthesizers create a cold, ominous atmosphere heightened by restrained, mantra-like vocals. The mood lightens with the next track, the bouncy "Touche Pas", which epitomizes the band's approach of starting with a rather skeletal synthesized backdrop that gradually opens up and bares its teeth with added guitars and harder beats. In spite of the strong cases made by the first two tracks, the highlight of the album is the third track, the driving "Jaloux". The song leaps out of the speakers, an all-out assault on the body complete with grinding synthesizers and timeless melodies.

The band also displays some rare tenderness on the plaintive "Joyeux" and reveals that it can delve into the strictly beautiful toward the end of "Maladie d'un Fou" with a gorgeous synth solo. The emotional drive is in full gear on guitar-driven "Noir Désir," whose pleas bubble over into a series of unexpected and disarmingly chilling shrieks.

Towards the end of the album, the songs become a bit repetitive but do not lose their charm. "Mr. Le Président" and "Maquillage" feature the trademark synth snarl with merely a few phrases repeated throughout. The album closes with the brooding "Adieu" with a bass guitar line sure to echo long after it ends.

With Nuit Blanche, Vive la Fête has managed to create an album steeped in chaos and fun while maintaining a sonic identity. Even if the production is the only clue that this album isn't from 1982, Nuit Blanche is surprisingly refreshing and utterly addictive.

Long live the party!
[Edited 7/31/05 21:04pm]

Moonbeam said:

It might be time for a new installment of your rating recent album purchases.

GangstaFam said:

Perhaps! You gotta hear this. It's exactly my taste.

Moonbeam said:

It won't be long.

GangstaFam said:

You should check out their webcast that Goo linked.

Moonbeam said:

I'll just leave all the exposure to you.

GangstaFam said:

Lazy!

Moonbeam said:

You haven't checked out even one Stereolab song and they have a proven career. So what's my incentive?

GangstaFam said:

Moonbeam said:

At least I can't be accused of famming or force-feeding.