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$17.99 CD
$34.99 LP+45
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DERNIERE VOLONTE
Immortel
(Hau-Ruck)
"Rien A Aimer"
"Immortel"
I've kept France's Derniere Volonte hidden close to my chest for quite a while now, as this nom de plume of Geoffrey D is one of my secret antidotes for those times when current, half-baked trends really begin to get on the nerves. Sure, I'll admit that the music is a bit of a guilty pleasure that taps into my love of classic 4AD records ranging from Dead Can Dance and Wolfgang Press, to post-industrial neo-folk luminaries like Death in June and Sol Invictus. (An old friend and OM regular turned me on to DV years ago, over a neo-folk discussion.) But what sets Derniere Volonte apart from the many other 4AD and Death in June wannabes is that Geoffrey D manages to have a timeless sense of beauty and romance while never sounding retro or too scene-driven. His immaculate sense of melody and his effective use of synths and electronics bring a huge, hall-filling sense of romance, pomp and majesty without getting mired in dark themes, runes and all the other stylistic baggage of neo-folk.
Okay, so maybe not all of the stylistic baggage is left behind, as we do find foil embossed sleeves, old European statuary, and a martial sound. But while many just strap on an acoustic guitar, add a stomping beat, and thumb through a D&D Monster Manual or some Crowley for lyrical inspiration, Geoffrey D takes the bellicose tone of neo-folk and adds an ear-catching yet no less somber blend of synthpop and darkwave (it's too serious and romantic to simply be labeled "club music"), and utilizes a rare level of simple, effective musicality. When describing my favorite contemporary coldwave/synthwave acts, I often reference Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, but no artist earns this comparison more, to my taste, than Derniere Volonte -- think "Joan of Arc," "Sealand" and "Romance of the Telescope"-style OMD.
Seven albums in, Immortel finds Geoffrey D continuing to distill his take on "martial pop," further sculpting his strange blend of neo-folk with the bittersweet melodies of the aforementioned OMD and, believe it or not, Book of Love. While many in the coldwave scene depend on misanthropic play-acting, Derniere Volonte's sincerity is instantly striking, and songs like the beautiful "Trop Tard," "Peut Etre" and "A Jamis" are indeed a dark yet powerfully exuberant and romantic kind of synthpop. Honestly, it's hard to describe precisely what makes DV so magnetic. I often feel a little nervous about putting this on the shop stereo, thinking it might be too 'goth' for most to enjoy, but the wide range of people that stop to inspect the copy of the CD that's on display any time it is playing is uncanny -- all ages and types are attracted to the flowing and effortlessly catchy, beautiful melodies. This will be like a newly discovered gem for any fan of Depeche Mode, This Mortal Coil and Death in June, not to mention Xymox and Trisomie 21. And anyone into contemporary bands like Xeno and Oaklander/Martial Canterel, Automelodi, Cold Cave, the Knife, Zola Jesus and Silk Flowers will also love this. I'm not expecting to see the cast of Twilight sporting Derniere Volonte t-shirts (nor do I want to), but I do think many new heads will finally get turned on to this great music. Excellent stuff! [SM]
Order CD by Texting "omcdderniereimmortel" to 767825
Order LP & 45 by Texting "omlpderniereimmortel" to 767825 |
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