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French Films - White Orchid

PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 3:45 pm
by zill
Because no one remotely asked for it...

I think I mentioned before that I've loved everything French Films has released so far, from their "Golden Sea" EP to their "Imaginary Future" debut album to the "When People Like You Filled the Heavens" single.

The new album, White Orchid, was released in their home Finland last week, and taking Frau's lead, I figured there would be no place better to "feel" the vibe of a surf rock album than Hawaii. So I got on my private jet and took a day in Maui to listen to a record best described as "summer in a can".

I can easily see this album being the soundtrack to many a summer barbeque, as the band continues with their short sweet DIY sounding surf rock. Great for warm, lazy days. The use of an organ or keyboard here and there gives the album a slightly richer sound.

Latter Days was the debut single, and is quite representative of the sound of the record overall:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2FC-uOdEivY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

1. White Orchid - the uncharacteristic 2 minute long intro is worth the wait as the song ultimately breaks into a surf rock classic

<a href="http://s175.photobucket.com/user/pselfy/media/1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w131/pselfy/1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1.jpg"/></a>

2.Where We Come From - no point in taking a rest, the record then launches into an upbeat number with a bit more of an instantly likeable new wave feel

<a href="http://s175.photobucket.com/user/pselfy/media/2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w131/pselfy/2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2.jpg"/></a>

3. Ridin' On - a no non-sense 2 minute slice of lazy surf rock

<a href="http://s175.photobucket.com/user/pselfy/media/3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w131/pselfy/3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 3.jpg"/></a>

4. Special Shades - sweet...the smile is across my face...reminds me of the Church...

<a href="http://s175.photobucket.com/user/pselfy/media/4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w131/pselfy/4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4.jpg"/></a>

5. All The Time You Got - quite listenable but nothing special...

<a href="http://s175.photobucket.com/user/pselfy/media/5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w131/pselfy/5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5.jpg"/></a>

6. Latter Days - nothing to say...an 80's sounding masterpiece with the organ complimenting the sound

<a href="http://s175.photobucket.com/user/pselfy/media/6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w131/pselfy/6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 6.jpg"/></a>

7. Long Lost Children - at 1:31, the song is over before it begins...which is a shame

<a href="http://s175.photobucket.com/user/pselfy/media/7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w131/pselfy/7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7.jpg"/></a>

8. Juveniles - more upbeat surf rock...maybe the songs are starting to all sound the same by this point

<a href="http://s175.photobucket.com/user/pselfy/media/8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w131/pselfy/8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 8.jpg"/></a>

9. Into Thousand Years - slower and almost 6 minutes long, but a nice change of pace after the first 8 tracks, and a nice melodic chorus. Nice to hear a guitar solo too.

<a href="http://s175.photobucket.com/user/pselfy/media/9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w131/pselfy/9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 9.jpg"/></a>

10. 99 - this song has everything from the previous 9 tracks combined...the surf rock vibe, the melody, the harmonies, the keyboards in the background...but has an overly long outro that should be edited off

<a href="http://s175.photobucket.com/user/pselfy/media/10.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w131/pselfy/10.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 10.jpg"/></a>

Overall I'd have to say I enjoy this record more than Imaginary Future. Or maybe I'm just starved for new music.

PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 8:41 am
by djcraig
Definitely can relate to the vocals sounding reminiscent of The Church. The guitar is NIIICE!

PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 11:34 am
by schwenko
I'll be checking them out at the NYC Popfest June 2[:)]

Sugoi !!!

PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 11:45 am
by Frau_Blucher
[quote][i]Originally posted by schwenko[/i]
<br>I'll be checking them out at the NYC Popfest June 2[:)]

Sugoi !!!
[/quote]
Ditto. [8D]

First beach...Maui, Makena?

PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 1:48 pm
by zill
[quote][i]Originally posted by Frau_Blucher[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by schwenko[/i]
<br>I'll be checking them out at the NYC Popfest June 2[:)]

Sugoi !!!
[/quote]
Ditto. [8D]

First beach...Maui, Makena?
[/quote]

I envy you pricks...I have a trip to NY in May I wish I could change to June 2.

Yep, Makena Beach State Park...better known as Big Beach...pic taken from the bluff on the way back from the nude beach at Little Beach...

One day I will retire to Maui.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 9:39 am
by SallyLightfoot
I like!

PostPosted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 9:33 pm
by schwenko
[quote][i]Originally posted by zill[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by Frau_Blucher[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by schwenko[/i]
<br>I'll be checking them out at the NYC Popfest June 2[:)]

Sugoi !!!


I envy you pricks...I have a trip to NY in May I wish I could change to June 2.

[/quote]

you missed a great show (the first of 4 in NYC)

my impression was a meld of New Order and The Ramones
I didn't pick up on any surf vibe, hey, but that's my ears

Sugoi !!!