- ALEXANDRE POULIN -
Every now and then, a new artist/album comes along that instantly finds a place among my Top 100. This one jumped to Top Ten! If Alexandre Poulin does not become obscenely popular on the world stage, there is no god. Sadly, not even god can help a Canadian artist find success at home (west of PQ), if they sing in French!*
The talent that this young man from Sherbrooke embodies, rivals Chris Deburgh, Neil Young or Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stephens) - bearing a stricking resemblance to the latter to boot! His beautifully arranged melodies, sensitive vocals, wry wit and storyteller lyrics combine to make his self-titled premiere album easily the best release in Canada this year - in any language.
The album is a series of stories, ranging from "Un bout de temps" - where he tells of his album-inspiring trip to Costa Rica, to "Le Carnet" - the chuckle-enducing tale of a seduction that has unexpected results. The musical style is acoustic folk, with an occasional hint of Acadian influence, giving an intimate feel to the storytelling. It is virtually impossible not to visualize each voyage that he takes us on, with absolute clarity.
Along the way we're told (and scolded for) the plight of Montreal's drug addicted child prostitutes ("La p'tite Rosalie"), follow the deadly tale of a self-fulfilling fortune teller's prophecy ("La Voyante"), learn the true meaning of wealth (Fernand), and get an intimate look at the depth of Alexandre's emotions with the songs "La Dernière Lettre" - a heart-breaking ballad on the ultimate cost of war, and "La prière" - one of the most beautiful love songs ever written...
The pure range of feelings he elicits from the listener - from laughter to tears - is a testament to his absolute mastery of musical storytelling and scope of his musical vocabulary.
If you have not experienced this brilliant album, you are missing the genesis of a talent who's career will span decades. Not since the premiere of Sarah McLachlan has such an important Canadian singer/songwriter surfaced! I bought the album several months ago, yet I continue to enjoy listening to it, on a daily basis...its been a long time since I've had an album whose pleasures had such longevity. When I have it on at work, co-workers (not a francophone among them) invariably ask who I'm listening to, and make very positive comments.
If you have not experienced this brilliant album, you are missing the genesis of a talent who's career will span decades. Not since the premiere of Sarah McLachlan has such an important Canadian singer/songwriter surfaced! I bought the album several months ago, yet I continue to enjoy listening to it, on a daily basis...its been a long time since I've had an album whose pleasures had such longevity. When I have it on at work, co-workers (not a francophone among them) invariably ask who I'm listening to, and make very positive comments.
Alex was nominated for a Newcomer of the Year 'Félix' (Québec's Juno Award), missing out to 'Coeur de pirate' - 19 year old Béatrice Martin. (Oh c'mon, doesn't anybody else find her signature 'little girl' voice more than just slightly irritating??)
Buy this stellar album, and give Alexandre a success outside of Québec, that is usually reserved for English-speaking artists! He deserves it, and so do we!
Mes meilleurs souhaits Alexandre, pour un succès plus incroyable que vos rêves. C'est vraiment bien mérité!
Buy this stellar album, and give Alexandre a success outside of Québec, that is usually reserved for English-speaking artists! He deserves it, and so do we!
Mes meilleurs souhaits Alexandre, pour un succès plus incroyable que vos rêves. C'est vraiment bien mérité!
PeBoVision reviews are unsolicited, and are a true and honest reflection of my feelings.
*Its going to be a repeated theme on this blog, but let me state for the first time, that I find it to be an absolute disgrace that Canadian artists who sing in French, must look to Europe to expand their audience, simply because there is a near xenoglossophobic resistance in Canada to accepting Québec culture as part of the Canadian mosaic! We are only robbing ourselves of incredibly talented artists, who identify themselves as being Québecois rather than Canadian, because the balance of the country has never given them cause to feel otherwise. It is a senseless, historical, cultural rejection, which I will not accept quietly.
1 comment:
Agree completely. Great Album.
J
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