The No Comprendo [Import]

Product Description
With this First Album, the Mitsouko Rose from a Weird Undergroung Act to a Mainstream Pop/Dance Band with their Funky/Nylon/Vintage 70's Clothes Look and their Sharp Videos all Over French TV.

Tracks:

Les Histoires D'a
Andy
C'est Comme Ca
Vol De Nuit
Someone To Love
Stupid Anyway
Un Soir Un Chien
Bad Days
Tonite
Nuit D'ivresse
Andy (English Verison)

Album Details

With this First Album, the Mitsouko Rose from a Weird Undergroung Act to a Mainstream Pop/Dance Band with their Funky/Nylon/Vintage 70's Clothes Look and their Sharp Videos all Over French TV.

Customer Reviews:

C'est Comme Ca!.......2006-04-28

It was at the late, lamented Exit in Chicago that I first heard Les Rita Mitsouko.

Somewhere between the Danielle Dax and the Nitzer Ebb and the James Brown and the Revolting Cocks, I was swept up in the dizzying howl of a strident female voice and a blistering guitar. It was backed by a pounding bass and drum, and it was irresistible.

I had no idea what this woman and her male companion were singing about so urgently, but it was exhilarating. It was wild, and it was hot.

Sometimes, it's not what you say, but how you say it. And even without translation, I knew: "It is this".

The rest of the album comes highly recommended as well, and if you're motivated, seek out the vinyl 12" of "C'est Comme Ca": Virgin 7 96768-0 (1987). It's what that unnamed DJ played all those years ago, and I still have the blisters to prove it.

Another all-time Top Twenty album.......2005-03-31

New Wave got brainless pretty fast, probably as soon as many bands started to smell the money. These guys never lost their weird and wonderful edge while at the same time stayed pop and listenable. The only thing that held them back from canonization in this country were the French lyrics. Too bad, it adds to the charm of the music. This is one of the best albums of that era and their earlier self-titled offering is even better. Way too many catchy tunes with great twists and hooks. Catherine Ringer was one of the best pop vocalists of that time with a crazy flexible voice. Style wise not exactly Lene Lovich but in the same class.

(Oh God, I hope we haven't forgotten about Lene Lovich!)

[Months later]

Yikes! 0 of 1 people found the following review helpful Hmm, what did I do wrong? I said "New Wave." They're "edgier" but "listenable" (well, not my exact words). They sing in French and any sane human hates that. I dunno. OK. let me try again with a more literal approach. The first song starts out bim bim...bimbimbim..babim on the bass and then after three bars this wobbly sort-of guitar fades in and then drums, maybe synth drums I'm not sure, and two bars later...

Oh Jeebers, this'll take days!

How about this:

The first track lasts exactly 4 minutes and 13 seconds and that sure seemed exactly right to me! I love tracks that are 4 minutes and 13 seconds long! They make me happy and I'm sure as salt they'll make you happy too. Buy this CD!

Now that's being helpful!

French Pop at its Best.......2004-05-21

I love love love this album. I had it on tape when I was a wee teenager and danced around my room singing to "Andy." Now I own it on c.d. and it is just as good--and I still dance around to "Andy." And, they are still popular in France! I was there last New Years and I heard Histoire d'A in a bar. I highly recommend this for any French Pop enthusiast--you will not be disappointed.

First, but not the last.......2002-04-09

I had stumbled upon the vinyl album of "No Comprendo" back in the day when CDs were barely a blip on the musi-tech monitor (~ 1987). Back then, I had just gotten back from visiting France, and I was seriously craving sounds that were simply not a part of the local aural tradition. I had been overdosing on Indochine, and needed something edgier, more raucous, less bubble-gum.

Enter Les Rita Mitsouko's "No Comprendo," and my life hasn't been the same since. The hard-edged music still holds up, even after the blessed departure of grunge, and Catherine Ringer's voice was as multifaceted then as it is now. After all this time, "Les Histoires d'A" is still my favorite on the album because it really showcases her beautifully flexible and emotive voice. Bjork, watch out.

Watch'n MTV in Heidelberg, Germany and Rita appears.......2001-06-24

Excellent music - when I first saw the video to C'est Comme Ca I had to have that song - I do think well of that song and the video was superb - especially the dog with the bouncing head on the TV keeping time with the music. I don't have time to do a review of the video and song but believe me it is worth watching. So it was back in the mid '80's and I got on my bicycle and rode to Speyer to buy the LP at the French military PX! Rita somehow reminds me of the English group 'Transvision Vamp' as the lyrics and engergy of both groups does drive a hard beat and lyrics that truly make ya think out of the box! Ciao for now - Ric

Average customer rating:

Khan is dope
Khan has taste!

No Comprendo
Khan
Manufacturer: Matador Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

IDM | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005B535
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Tracks:

Les Gros Nichons
Why Hurt Flesh
The Wolf
Monster
Say Hello
Say Goodbye
Aman
The Bee
Mercy Mama
Fishies Fuck
Vaseline
Fantomes
Guitar King

Customer Reviews:

Khan is dope.......2003-09-09

I'm loving this disc more and more with each listen. At first it seems a little too varried, with out any consistent themes, but upon further listen, one discovers a deeply surreal experience. It's like listening to a David Lynch production, a dark underworld of sex, crime, drugs and fantasy. I would put this up there with Jimi Tenor. It's been a couple of years since this was released...I hope Khan is working on a follow up.

Khan has taste!.......2002-01-06

Khan (aka Can Oral) is the musical movement behind this little treat. Not only is his electronic sound very unconvential overall (its very quirky, and isn't afraid to use flat notes that sound out place with the melody... but thats what makes it sound so damn cool!)
This aside... he picked some damn good collaborators! I met Khan & his right hand man, Kid Congo Powers backstage at a Diamanda Galas show... & I got talking with Kid and he clued me on the forthcoming project that involved him and Diamanda with his partner, Khan (whom was very friendly but quiet.) Then Diamanda came over and joined the discussion... and whilst the 3 were all chatting amongst themselves... I quickly realized there was a project that was gonna totally kick ...!
A few months later, it came out... and not only do Kid Congo & Diamanda do a remarkable job (as expected) but the selection of other collaborators were varied & extremely impressive! Lets we had: Jon Spencer, Julee Cruise, Hanin Elias (Atari Teenage Riot), Francoise Cactus (Stereo Total), & Andre Williams. I have to say this is a diverse collection of sleaze, French cutesyness, etheral love song, brooding schrei, attitude, & a dirty old black man who wants a piece of ...! I've listened to many collaborative projects... and the only thing that is as cool as this, are Die Haut's team of players (which Kid Congo was a part of before) & Recoil's gang (which Diamanda Galas was a part of) but... I feel Diamanda was utilized better in this project, than Alan Wilder's need to make Diamanda sound pretty & accessible. Khan definitely left Diamanda intact, in the way you can still feel what she is all about.
This album was definitely in the top 5 of best albums in 2000 (along with The Strokes, Anita Lane, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds & Foetus.) I highly recommend this to persons who like collaborative efforts.