Noir Désir
Du ciment sous les plaines

THE REVIEW

In 1991, while American rock was about to claim more victims, especially with the release of the legendary Ten and Nevermind, few took into consideration the advent of the French Noir Désir.

Their sounds are very similar to the Seattle sound, but with the addition of elements that do not spoil the poisoned drink.

Bertrand Cantat, the dark yet mad and charismatic leader of the band, gives an epic and personal touch to the tracks, feeding and nourishing this unstoppable monster.

You can feel the amount of punk and country rock unleashed that the four bleed throughout the album's duration. A typical concert of theirs, a true rodeo, sees the leader/matador pouring sweat and energy with style, like few other cases in music.

Screams, laments, and guttural sounds (also trademarks in the subsequent acclaimed album Tostaky) outline the aspect I love most in the cruel and worn interpretation crescendoing in anger and despair.

Tu M'donnes le mal is a perfect example, likewise the sustained En route pour la joie.

The guitar at times bluesy, at times irritable, and the martial drumming accompany the sinful choirs.

It's banal to underline that they give their best in the mother tongue songs compared to the episodes (always valid, to be clear) of No No No and Picture Of Yourself.

If you love rocky and gloriously masochistic rock with a 90s melancholy tone, you will be conquered at first listen by Du Ciment Sous Les Plaines.

Moralité, il est mort alité.

Here is a necessary dose of pure and sacred rock n roll.