SPOT DE RUE

By the time of release of their third album Spot De Rue this writer wasn't really expecting IS to be still alive, but an appearance at the FMPM probably woke them up. With the stame weird artiste taking care of the artwork (but using a fairly different colour scheme), IS's third album is a bit of a deception for this writer. Indeed it seems that the group has decided to increase the vocal's importance and feature them in many more tracks than in the previous two albums.

Right from the bat, we're taken by surprise by the electric guitar and loud bass 's shallow presence playing opposite to one of many of Andréa Bilodeau's many vocal performance, but certainly not her best on this album opening track, Bidibulle. Indeed, she's much better on the Ca Mord-Tu? And the fuzzed-out electric guitar of Philippe Venne joined by Bilodeau's violin can make things worse in case it grates you. Not only have they lost a lot of their fascination (from my part anyway) and can seem to broad-brushing with the almost metallic rework of Zucchini, making them sound like some kind of 5UU meeting Bob Drake production for third successive time on the same sessions. Also the fact that two previous tracks (Café Morue and Zucchini) have been reworked might indicate that IS is maybe short of ideas despite the seven year gap between albums.

Another disappointment is the lack or really long tracks, even if the track "33" can un up to the 6-min+ mark, and some track are indeed enthralling (Ininsolification <<< whatever, right?!?!). But let's face it, this third IS holds little of the raw energy and inventivity of their previous Zucchini or Mare Chrisum. Best to start with one of those two albums than the one here. Most likely this album will get better with time, but after four months I have yet to be able to permeate it.