French TV - Pardon Our French!

Year of Release: 2004
Label: Pretentious Dinosaur Records
Catalog Number: CD 007
Format: CD
Total Time: 60:12:00

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!!!!!!

Tracklisting:
Everything Works In Mexico (11:55) / Sekala Dan Niskala (6:19) / The

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

Discography:
French TV (1994)
After A Lengthy Silence (1987)
Virtue In Futility (1994)
Intestinal Fortitude (1995)
Live: YOO-HOO!!! (1997)
The Violence of Amateurs (1999)
The Case Against Art (2002)
Pardon Our French (2004)
This Is What We Do (2006)
I Forgive You For All My Unhappiness (1CD) (2010)
I Forgive You For All My Unhappiness (2CD) (2010)
Ambassadors Of Good Health ANd Clean Living (2016)
Operation: MOCKINGBIRD (2017)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: June 19th 2006
Reviewer: Eric Porter

Artist website: www.french-tv.net
Hits: 2869
Language: english