The pattern of how the UK's Mercury/Technics Music Prize has been decided has always been totally baffling so it is with some trepidation that we should approach the winner of France's equivalent competition. It is certainly an interesting choice, Avril is clearly an imaginative man with an ambition and flair for experiment that should be applauded. He is on brilliant form on two tracks: the modern synth pop of 'Like Everybody Else' and 'Global Headphones' which is a head-spinning blissed-out anthem. Unfortunately beauty and madness do not always make easy bedfellows and this is where the half-formed 'Eye World' and 'Velvet Blues' suffer and no one really needs to hear the harsh beats and sub-standard electro-clash of 'The Date' and 'French Kiss' for Avril is far better when he cuts down on the experiments. So it's just a question of which route Avril takes next but his potential is certainly greater than most prize winners.
The pattern of how the UK's Mercury/Technics Music Prize has been decided has always been totally baffling so it is with some trepidation that we should approach the winner of France's equivalent competition. It is certainly an interesting choice, Avril is clearly an imaginative man with an ambition and flair for experiment that should be applauded. He is on brilliant form on two tracks: the modern synth pop of 'Like Everybody Else' and 'Global Headphones' which is a head-spinning blissed-out anthem. Unfortunately beauty and madness do not always make easy bedfellows and this is where the half-formed 'Eye World' and 'Velvet Blues' suffer and no one really needs to hear the harsh beats and sub-standard electro-clash of 'The Date' and 'French Kiss' for Avril is far better when he cuts down on the experiments. So it's just a question of which route Avril takes next but his potential is certainly greater than most prize winners.
print this review
email this review