Charlotte GainsbourgIRM
Because Music/Elektra Records [2010]
Fire Note Says: Having Beck along for the ride is never a bad thing!
Album Review:
You easily might know Charlotte Gainsbourg as the French actress that most recently was in Antichrist [2009] with William Defoe or the singer/songwriter that had the well received debut record 5:55 [2006] but her new album IRM should definitely gain her more exposure. The record is a complete collaboration with Beck, who not only produces but co-writes, brings in his favorite helpers (father David Campbell, and drummer Joey Waronker), and of course supplies vocals. With Beck's stamp all over this thing, IRM ebbs and flows like a Beck album only driven by the female lead. This support can only go so far, as this is still Gainsbourg's record and given its subject matter you will not be confused. You see, Charlotte suffered a brain hemorrhage after a water-skiing accident in 2007 and IRM (MRI backwards) is the story of her time spent in the hospital. Now - not to worry, Gainsbourg has fully recovered but on this record there are moments of distant isolation that totally sink in with repeat listens and lets you feel her emotions. There are also several tracks of drifting French but what really makes IRM a keeper are songs like the beat heavy "Trick Pony" or the feedback riddled "Greenwich Mean Time" that stand out with their Beck influence, as the two are a perfect pair. The final take on IRM is that the Gainsbourg/Beck duo works well, most of the songs are tightly contained under the three minute mark and no song on the album sounds alike. This all equals an entertaining listen and a singing career for Charlotte Gainsbourg that should gain immediate traction!
Key Tracks: "IRM", "Heaven Can Wait", "Trick Pony"
Bands With Similar Fire:
Portishead
Aimee Mann
Beth Orton
Official Charlotte Gainsbourg Website
Charlotte Gainsbourg MySpace
Charlotte Gainsbourg Facebook
Because Music
Elektra Records
-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby
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