Le Pop Returns With Volume 7

The ongoing saga that is the brilliant Le Pop series continues with the addition of the seventh volume in the series. As always, Le Pop features the latest and greatest in chanson, french pop and in it's constant effort to branch out now even features songs that are straight from the disco. These non-traditional variations might be a bit of a shock to the system but in typical Le Pop fashion there's not a duff track in the bunch. Having listened to this series from the start I believe I know the reason why this series has been as successful as it has and that’s because the material featured in each and every volume is always top notch stuff.

From up-tempo, nearly twee tunes to angular pop, Le Pop is all over the map and illustrates the depth and breadth of chanson music now days. This isn't your grandmother's French pop anymore; it's more like shabby chic pop music that's in love with the sixties as much as it is the noughties. It's far more than just Serge covers...way more. With loads of new artists making an appearance on these compilations, the content is always fresh and crisp and on the cutting edge of the French pop scene.

Simply put, no matter the volume Le Pop never disappoints. From the nearly traditional sound of Brigitte's, “Bailez Vous,” to Lescop's extremely danceable, “La Foret,” this record, like its cousins proves itself to be essential. The entire Le Pop series is amazing as a whole and I always look forward to each release, not only because I'm totally in love w/the girl on the covers but because every song is masterful, seductive, and pop perfection. This is the sort of record and series that would even make someone like John McCain scream, "Vive Le France!"

Le Pop Returns For Sixths

The continuing saga that is the Le Pop series resumes with the addition of the sixth volume in the series. As always, Le Pop features the latest and greatest in chanson, french pop and the like but this time they've branched out a bit and included songs sung in English, songs from Lousiana, and Montreal. It might be a bit of a shock to the system but in typical Le Pop fashion there's not a duff track in the bunch. Having listened to this a lot there's a reason why this series has been as successful as has been and that’s because the material featured in each and every volume is top notch stuff.

From up-tempo, nearly twee tunes to folk pop, Le Pop is all over the map and illustrates the depth and breadth of chanson music now days. This isn't your grandmothers French pop anymore; it's like shabby chic pop music that's in love with the sixties as much as it is the noughties. With loads of new artists making an appearance here, the content is always fresh and crisp and on the cutting edge of the Francophone scene. While I much prefer the pure French pop, I can understand the inclusion of the Creole and French Canadian pop as a chance for the compilation series to spread its wings.

North American or proper French, Le Pop never disappoints. From the countrified pop of Tom Poisson's, "Trapeziste," to the twee cuddliness of, "Stephanie Lapointe's, "Eau Salee," this record, like its cousins proves itself to be essential. The entire Le Pop series is amazing and I look forward to each release, not only because I'm totally in love w/the girl on the covers but because every song is masterful, seductive, and pop perfection. This is the sort of record that makes you want to scream, "Vive Le France!"

Le POP! Is Back

German label, Le Pop Musik has really out done themselves with the Le Pop series. This increasingly essential compilation has taken the most essential Chanson tunes over the last couple of years and crammed them on to CD's for the world to hear. With nary a bad compilation amongst the bunch, the Le Pop series has become just about essential when wanting to keep up on the latest music from the ever fashionable French pop scene. Now up to their fifth compilation, Le Pop Musik has once again upped the ante and Le Pop 5 unsurprisingly does not disappoint.

Over the course of it's sixteen tracks, the entire gamut of pop and chanson is covered as only this compilation could; with a spring in it's ever swanky step and a melody in its heart. Bang on and up to date, the songs that populate Le Pop 5 are chanson's finest moments and they revel in their impeccability. Whether it's moody beat pop, jangly twee pop, or dance pop it's all here on Le Pop 5 and it is here in abundance. And not unlike the other Le Pop records in the series Le Pop 5 is pretty much perfect in every way.

From lavish orchestrations to crooning vocals and deep grooves to spiky guitars with sugary sweet vocals Le Pop 5 serves as a constant reminder of just how fantastic chanson can be and that's true even if you don't understand a word of French. About the worst thing you can say about Le Pop 5 is that it's over almost as quickly as it starts. The songs here are original and packed to the rafters with great harmonies and choruses that even non-Francophiles will have a hard time shaking from their memory. Le Pop Musik is clearly on to something here with the Le Pop series and having heard each of these five compilations, each compilaton is better than the last. This is a seriously great label that's not even based in France (it's based in Germany) but undoubtedly scours the country it loves for the finest music out there and Le Pop brings it all they way across the Atlantic for us to enjoy. This series is a labour of love and each of the tracks here are here for a reason, they're awesome.

Le Pop 5 is a fantastic record that will appeal to anyone who likes a strong tune whehther or not you speak a word of French. Music is said to cross barriers and after listening to Le Pop 5 I'm ready to say the French can just about the closest thing to blowing the cross-cultural divide sky high. Highly recommended.