Monade

Lætitia Sadier's Monade Knocks it out of the Park...

Monade's new album, Monstre Cosmic, comes out on Feb 19th, and I would be remiss not to rush you out to pick it up. Lætitia Sadier, of Stereolab fame, has a just as soothing a chirp as ever, and the fact that I don't know four words of French means less than ever as I enjoy this well imagined-out and thoroughly loungeadelic disc. Monstre Cosmic, Monade's second release for Too Pure, is put-your-feet-up and sip a Bombay Saphire martini with the Superbowl on mute goodness.

What makes this disc so nice? The rhythm section. Xavier Chabellard and Marie Merlet play such a spirited drum and bass, respectively, that I could see listening to just their master tracks while I exorcise my morning sudoku frustration. Add Nicolas Etienne's keys, and that innocent French purr we fell in love with during the 90s and you have a wonderful post-rock turnout.

The disc 'opens' (after a thirty second piano intro) with "Étoile", which is actually one of the longer tracks on the disk, clocking in at five minis (minis is what we call minutes when they seem really short). "Étoile" establishes a cozy fireplace and favorite-internet-chat-room mood with midtempy piano and high-hat charm.

"Lost Language" kicks it into a faster gear, and plays out a bit like a dreamy remix of The Tragically Hip's "Springtime in Vienna", except with foreign female vocals, and--at this point, I am actually reminded that I still haven't a clue what she's singing about. No matter, I'm definitely along for the ride, especially with that exciting rhythm section.

"Elle Topo" starts out slow, like one of the cut Pink Floyd tracks from the Zabriskie Point session, but then rocks into one of the closest Stereolab remeniscents on the album. A dynamic track, "Elle Topo" has interesting breakdowns and one of the more exciting vocal performances on the disc.

"Regarde" is that savy, sexy, car commercial, with a groovy bottom and reserved, modest horn-lines. I think this track is where Sadier most gives away here inner Van Morrison fan. At around mid-point the song breaks for a little voice-as-instrument time, but for someone with such a seductive croon, she sings so modestly. Maybe that's her charm?

"Invitation" starts out as a slow piano-and-strings piece, and develops with descending chord structures and--of course, varying tempos--designed to be that last demand for me to grab the 'How to Speak French' tapes and go for a 10-week stroll. Towards the end of the tune, "Invitation" has what's got to be one of the most interesting (in it's simplicity) drum-lines I've ever heard. But that seems to be the theme with this disk. Interesting despite its simplicity. It's only complicated for the musicians who have to remember the tempo changes, but it doesn't challenge the listener at all. Honestly, if there were ever an album of lollypop bubblegum jazzy post-rock, this is certainly it.

Monstre Cosmic closes with the indie-rockesque "Change of Destination". Light and fluffy as ever, "Change of Destination" is easy on the ears and easy on the synapses. The song is done at two and a half minutes. Was this whole album really short? For--at times, classical sounding--jazz pop, the track lengths are almost painfully succinct. This album moves along too fast, and the only thing I could ask for on their next release is a tad more self-indulgence.

Check out Regarde and grab this album when you can. Classical fuse-pop has never been this easy to listen to.

Monade - Regarde.mp3

Monade on:
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