Alizee - Mes Courants Electriques

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Free Music Notes for Mes Courants Electriques

Free Music Review: More Mature Than Debut... A Very Opinionated Commentary
Hit: 5 Stars

I was very lucky to find out about her, quite accidentally last year, when I was introduced to her first amazing album. Although her material is really a product of Mylene Farmer and Laurent Boutonnat, it's Alizée's delivery and tremendous voice that makes the music fly. She's a natural, and displays a tremendous amount of charisma.

This album is definitely more mature than her first, and I think that Mylene made a terrific conscious effort to ensure that the music grows with her. These songs stick in your head and heart and never, ever let go. Although I cannot understand a word she is singing, the raw emotion that comes through in songs like "A Contre-Courant" and "J'ai Pas Vingt Ans" is so real.

I got the French import, and have heard the English version of some of the tracks since then, but, although I find the English translations interesting, and I'm glad a direct translation wasn't done, I do prefer the French versions. And although I don't understand it, French fits her performances so much better. It's a more beautiful language than my native English :) Besides, some of the English lyrics border on the absurd -- not most, but a few. Slang used maybe 20-25 years ago in America, and snickered at now -- I mean "boogy-woogy"??? I recommend passing these English versions across someone well versed in the target culture beforehand next time. Despite this, I'm still glad for a non-direct translation.

Now I'm not sure if an American audience exposure was targeted at this time, especially in light of some anti-French sentiments over certain current world events, but ultimately I believe that Alizée could become huge worldwide, including the USA. I have a few reservations, though, about how successful that will be if her mentors continue on the career path they seem to be taking. This is a message to her management team (not that they would ever read this, nor care to):

1) Drop the "French Britney" image, and FAST. Alizée's beauty can stand on its own, without some of the cheesy ways they are presenting her. Yes, I know she's a product of France, and I know the pop music styles in France are still closer to the cheesy 80's of America, but if they want her to become huge worldwide, please realize that people see right through this, at least in my country, and Alizée will just end up as "flavor of the week" if this continues.

2) Take advantage of the charisma factor here. Alizée is that rare performer, who has the potential to connect with her audience at live performances -- IF she is allowed to sing WITHOUT the cheesy (there, I said it again) lip-synch! Now I know she can sing live -- I saw a "Top of the Pops" performance of hers, and she can handle singing live rather well. Let her develop her stage presence, and take advantage of her natural talent, charm, and charisma to connect with her audience. There is a hell of a lot going for her in many ways. Don't stunt the growth of a potential universally huge star. Maybe this will give her enough confidence to start co-writing her own material, unless Mylene and Laurent's intention is to use her as a meal ticket. I'm sure that's not true, since Mylene is a star in her own right. But just in case...

Ok, off my arrogant soapbox ;) Back to the review.

I HIGHLY recommend this album. It is awesome! I hope to see Alizée's success reach worldwide.

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