I was struck by the earthiness of the sound, a pastiche slant set in a rich analogue formula that lacked contemporary pretension. The mini-album of Au Revoir 1978-81 collects the tracks from both EPs for a full re-issue.
I don’t miss Glasgow very much. Now this is nothing against the city, nor its people, nor its music scene. It’s mostly down to the weather, and the post-industrial town’s penchant for greyness. I do miss my music mates there though, their enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge. It was an ill-humored and cantankerous Paisley resident (he’ll know who he is) that introduced me to one of Kernkrach’s latest groups: Les Invalides. Said Paisleyite assured me I’d like this French sounding group; he was right. Over some modestly priced beers we listened to this unknown outfit’s 12”s on MAS2008’s Automatik-Datamatik and Musique Dilettantique. I was struck by the earthiness of the sound, a pastiche slant set in a rich analogue formula that lacked contemporary pretension. The mini-album of Au Revoir 1978-81 collects the tracks from both EPs for a full re-issue.
Angular hair cuts, heavy mascara and whirling blue cigarette smoke. “La Première Fois” transports, propelling you to the burgeoning wave scene of the early 80s. Although this is, more than likely, not of the era, Au Revoir 1978-81 definitely has the style. “Diable-Danse” races, percussion speeding with disregard. “Nuit Blanche” is exemplary synth wave. I fell in love with the tack on first hearing it years back, brooding, broken and just brilliant. “Voix En Liberté” is the unreleased track of the LP, a circling piece of blacked Industrial throb. “Conséquences” bleeds. Twisting, wrenching, tear soaked chords cascade, trembling against a wavering backdrop. The lonely lines of “Au Revoir” ring out the album, analogue isolation and unhappiness end this voyage into a pseudo-past of hurt and hope.
It’s great to see this LP come to light. The two 12”s, released a few years ago, were quickly gobbled up by hungry synth fans and their prices have since gone up, and up, and up. Now the five tracks that made up the two EPs have been revived, alongside an extra track, and set on quality vinyl for a new audience. Emotional, cold and superb music from Les Invalides.
Au Revoir 1978-81 is available on Kernkrach.
