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French TV - Pardon Our French!

French TV - Pardon Our French!
Released: 2004
Label: Pretentious Dinosaur Records
Cat. No.: CD007
Total Time: 60:12

Reviewed by: Eric Porter, June 2006
For all its complexity, Pardon Our French! is an easy listen. As a matter of fact, it is a blast. Drawing the listener in with their vast array of instrumentation, this is a tight and musically sound group. The band is not kidding when they titled the first track "Everything Works in Mexico," because they throw in a ton of instruments and changes, and yet it all comes off without a hitch. The authentic trumpet sound and nylon string guitar add a nice touch. The varied instrumentation gives each track a unique if somewhat schizophrenic character.

The playful spirit of "…Mexico" is countered with the more experimental noisemaking and Asian sounding intro that takes place during "Sekala Dan Niskala." The "Pardon Our French Medley" stays in the experimental mode, but creates a spacier vibe. Accordions, harpsichords, woodwinds, and some heavily delayed guitar set the atmospheric moments. The band adds sections with heavier guitar and bass, some offbeat piano playing (ala King Crimson's "Catfood") showing they are prepared to rock when necessary. Guitar enthusiasts will dig the variety of tones and excursions provided during this track by Chris Smith. The only complaint I really have is that there are a few keyboard sounds that are a bit too processed for my liking, but they are few and far between. The band manages to constantly demand your attention, never letting one moment last too long before injecting some new instrument, or spiraling off into a completely different direction. The music is best described as unpredictable, and let's leave it at that.

Pardon Our French! left me impressed, but more importantly entertained and wanting more. I want my French TV!!!!!!

More about Pardon Our French!:

Track Listing: Everything Works In Mexico (11:55) / Sekala Dan Niskala (6:19) / The "Pardon Our French"” Medley (16:58) / Tears Of A Velvet Clown (13:17) / When The Ruff Tuff Creampuffs Take Over (11:40)

Musicians:
Chris Smith - guitars, violin, viola, rebab, percussion, banjo, cello, mandolin
Warran Dale - keys, sax, clarinet, melodica, toys, accordion, samplers, flutes, recorders, harmonica, whirling tube, percussion, celesta, marimba, vibes
Mike Sary - bass, keys
Jeff Gard - drums, percussion, trap set

Special Guests : Steven Dale - trumpet, flugelhorn
Richard Adrian Steiger - tabla, dumbek, riq, percussion
Stephanie Dale - piccolo
Will Stewart - trumpet
Pam Thompson - tuba, euphonium, trombone

Contact:

Website: www.frenchtvonline.com
Note: will open new browser window

Discography

French TV (1994)
After A Lengthy Silence (1987)
Virtue In Futility (1994)
Intestinal Fortitude (1995)
The Violence of Amateurs (1999)
The Case Against Art (2002)
8 - Pardon Our French (2004)
This Is What We Do (2006)

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© Copyright 1999 - 2006 ProgressiveWorld.net/Eric Porter

	French TV - Pardon Our French!
	Released: 2004 Label: Pretentious Dinosaur Records Cat. No.: CD007 Total Time: 60:12
	Reviewed by: Eric Porter, June 2006 For all its complexity, Pardon Our French! is an easy listen. As a matter of fact, it is a blast. Drawing the listener in with their vast array of instrumentation, this is a tight and musically sound group. The band is not kidding when they titled the first track "Everything Works in Mexico," because they throw in a ton of instruments and changes, and yet it all comes off without a hitch. The authentic trumpet sound and nylon string guitar add a nice touch. The varied instrumentation gives each track a unique if somewhat schizophrenic character. The playful spirit of "…Mexico" is countered with the more experimental noisemaking and Asian sounding intro that takes place during "Sekala Dan Niskala." The "Pardon Our French Medley" stays in the experimental mode, but creates a spacier vibe. Accordions, harpsichords, woodwinds, and some heavily delayed guitar set the atmospheric moments. The band adds sections with heavier guitar and bass, some offbeat piano playing (ala King Crimson's "Catfood") showing they are prepared to rock when necessary. Guitar enthusiasts will dig the variety of tones and excursions provided during this track by Chris Smith. The only complaint I really have is that there are a few keyboard sounds that are a bit too processed for my liking, but they are few and far between. The band manages to constantly demand your attention, never letting one moment last too long before injecting some new instrument, or spiraling off into a completely different direction. The music is best described as unpredictable, and let's leave it at that. Pardon Our French! left me impressed, but more importantly entertained and wanting more. I want my French TV!!!!!! More about Pardon Our French!: Track Listing: Everything Works In Mexico (11:55) / Sekala Dan Niskala (6:19) / The "Pardon Our French"” Medley (16:58) / Tears Of A Velvet Clown (13:17) / When The Ruff Tuff Creampuffs Take Over (11:40) Musicians: Chris Smith - guitars, violin, viola, rebab, percussion, banjo, cello, mandolin Warran Dale - keys, sax, clarinet, melodica, toys, accordion, samplers, flutes, recorders, harmonica, whirling tube, percussion, celesta, marimba, vibes Mike Sary - bass, keys Jeff Gard - drums, percussion, trap set Special Guests : Steven Dale - trumpet, flugelhorn Richard Adrian Steiger - tabla, dumbek, riq, percussion Stephanie Dale - piccolo Will Stewart - trumpet Pam Thompson - tuba, euphonium, trombone Contact: Website: www.frenchtvonline.com Note: will open new browser window Discography French TV (1994) After A Lengthy Silence (1987) Virtue In Futility (1994) Intestinal Fortitude (1995) The Violence of Amateurs (1999) The Case Against Art (2002) 8 - Pardon Our French (2004) This Is What We Do (2006)
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