FIGURES

This album is a goldmine of understated, ultra-arty Frenchness. Add Astrud Gilberto-like vocals to elaborately constructed songs, enigmatic electronic constructions, and a certain portion of pure progressive instrumental whimsy. Super-infectious - if Poulenc had a pop band, it might sound like this. Listen to it on a breezy day with the windows open in your apartment overlooking the Côte d'Azur. Highlights include "Spleenétique," one of the more conventionally proggy tracks, "Retour chez" with some very dramatic harmonies and "Un Caïd," contrasting light-hearted vocal verses with some startling instrumental breaks and an enigmatic ending. It's a double CD/LP and is refreshingly free of skippable dead space.