LAdventura

Description

Arriving shortly after his aptly named chamber pop homage Confection, Sébastien Tellier gives that albums romantic feel a Brazilian twist with LAventura. Recorded in Bougival and Rio de Janeiro as well as Paris, the album captures the summery feel of samba, bossa nova, and more, yet Telliers take on the sounds of Brazil never feels touristy or heavy-handed. Several of these songs are actually quite subtle in how they incorporate Brazilian elements, such as Aller Vers le Soleils gossamer synth pop. When Tellier does emphasize LAventuras tropicale vibe, he does it with equal finesse. Love begins the album with flutes, guira, guitar, dramatic percussion, and breathy choral vocals that create a breezy yet bittersweet mood evoking Sergio Mendes as much as his own easy listening fixation. Ma Calypso is an artful collage of bubbly electronics, acoustic guitar, and a host of Brazilian percussion, including everyones favorite squeaking drum, the cuica. Tellier also returns to the pop side of his music which hasnt gotten much play since Sexuality with winning results. Not only do songs such as LAdulte reaffirm his way with hooks, they also allow more sounds and colors into the album, whether its the disco-tinged strings on Sous les Rayons du Soleil or the way the closing track, LEnfant Vert, plays like a candy-coated version of everything before it. LAventuras moods are just as wide-ranging, spanning the mischievous sleaze of Ricky LAdolescent as well as the heady Comment Revoir Oursinet?, a 14-minute odyssey that teeters between sublime and ridiculous at any given moment. While Confection was arguably more striking in its musical and emotional consistency, here Tellier makes the most of his playful eclecticism. As always, LAventura is rife with touches that knowledgeable listeners will appreciate, but anyone with a fondness for smoothly retro mood music with lots of personality will find a lot to enjoy. ~ Heather Phares