I picked up the album by Nouvelle Vague over the weekend, and while at first I was afraid that I might have made one of those poorly thought-out, impulsive purchases on a cheesy novelty record, I'm more and more impressed with every listen.

For those not in the know, Nouvelle Vague is a group that translates '80s new wave/goth/post-punk classics into breathy, breezy bassanova tunes. Their album includes 'A Forest' by The Cure, 'This Is Not A Love Song' by Public Image, Ltd., 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' by Joy Division, 'Just Can't Get Enough' by Depeche Mode, and lots more.

The album works exactly because it's not treated as kitsch or novelty. The instrumentation is lush and beautifully arranged, and the line-up of female vocalists do their job gorgeously...if there's a joke to this album, you won't hear it in their voices, even on their bizarre reworking of the Dead Kennedys' 'Too Drunk to F**k'.

I hadn't heard of a handful of the songs covered on this album, and it really didn't (and doesn't) matter. Quite simply, it's a really pleasant album of bossanova music. File this very far away from those dusty Dredd Zeppelin and Black Velvet Flag albums.

Anyone else heard this?

i haven't bought the CD yet, but i downloaded their 3-track EP that was on iTunes for a while before the CD was released. Love Will Tear Us Apart, This is not a long song, and I Melt with You. I actually really like it, especially LWTUA.

'this is not a love song' might be my favorite on the album, but it would be a favorite among favorites - their version of 'a forest' is really delightful...and by all rights, it should suck rotten eggs.

I've got the album and it's very good indeed, my favourite cover is the Bossa Nova cover of making plans for nigel, I like "Marianne" too ( I still don't know the original version) here's the official site in English: http://www.nouvellesvague...cueil.html
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[Edited 5/9/05 15:44pm]

I've actually heard this at Virgin Megastore. They also cover "Teenage Kicks" by The Undertones. It's funny, but it's cute.

NWF said:

yeah, that's where i picked it up! i read about it in time out chicago a week or two ago and thought it sounded moderately interesting, then saw it on display at virgin...i kinda expected it to sound dumb, but when i sampled it, i thought it sounded really pretty and brought out something delicate and feminine in these otherwise angry, aloof, dark, masculine songs. not that i don't like the original versions of the songs, but i always like hearing when someone does a covers album and gets it right, like this one does.

Sounds awesome. Who'da thunk it?