Because/Atlantic (label)
04 September 2006 (released)
02 December 2006
Three albums in twenty years cannot be considered prolific but then the daughter of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin does have a serious career as an actor in her homeland.
She is assisted here by Air who supply the music and Jarvis Cocker & Neil Hannon (Divine Comedy) who wrote or co-wrote most of the songs.
The songs here tell stories: of the point between waking and sleep, of flying in to her lover in Saskatchewan on a doomed flight (AF607105), of a friend’s critical operation, all stories that need to be told but when coupled with her breathy and close-miked voice resonate with true poignancy.
Her voice is very French, little girl breathiness and switching between French and English and the arrangements are very sympathetic, allowing plenty of space around her vocals but there are times one could wish for more emotion from the music but this is classic Air.
It leaves the listener wondering if this is a great album or a 'close-but-no-cigar’ but on balance the fact that I am still listening to it swings it toward great.
