Matthieu Malon - Les Jours sont Comptés

Some albums have an uncommon journey. This one for example. It will have taken 12 years until the disc can see the light of day, the day that counts. Good news, because it is in my opinion the guy’s best opus. And the more rock music too.

It doesn’t look like it, but the lyrics are refined, sharp. In few words, Matthieu tells his little stories with such a precision that you have the feeling to have lived them.

Sometimes very direct: it could have worn the "Explicit Lyrics" sticker... but I think Monopsone record label doesn’t really care.

"Avant" describes an obstinate situation ending with repeated excessive parties – « les fêtes à outrance » (les fêtes à outrance, les fêtes à outrance). And this deluge of electric saturated guitars, it’s wicked!

All is in accord: good sound and affairs that almost always fizzle out ("Chez Toi", "Constat d'Échec", "Une Dispute en Août", "Ligne 9"). When the words become useless music judiciously takes the reins to end up with a gut-wrenching crescendo ("Avant", "Outlandos d'Amour", "Cette Nuit"). And you drink the bitter dregs with "Les Jours sont Bien Trop Longs", an excellent, personal and inspired cover of an unknown Taxi Girl’s B-side.

If Matthieu is at the mike and at the helm about everywhere, the quality of the musicians who accompanied him then must be highlighted too: on bass Stephane Bertrand (one half of Ginger Ale, noticed by Etienne Daho and Mickael Furnon), on drums Philippe Entressangle (whom you’ll find in almost all French CDs since the 2000’s, from Cali to Zazie by way of Jacques Dutronc, Alain Chamfort, or Daho again), on guitar Sebastien Gautron (who’s been going on with Matthieu so far, including the Laudanum project) and on backing vocals Noemie Ventura who rocks.

There’s nothing for it but to hope time does justice to this remarkable album. Just to confirm its uncommon journey.