Description:

2003 spawned a new Parisian scene as the kids ditched their turntables for guitars. Apparently “they got mad keen, sought out old vinyl records, discovered Dylan, the Stooges, the Ramones. Then they went for it.” Four years later and Because Music have decided to release their story so far.

Which means?

In 1987 Manu Chao founded Mano Negro along with his brother Antoine and his cousin Santiago Casariego. They blended rock with punk, citing The Clash as major influences. 20 years down the line follows the second wave of French rock and roll revivalism.

Is it much cop?

It’s more Poirot than Clouseau. Although the sound is at times amateurish, that’s the spirit of rock and roll after all. These youngsters are clued up.

How many good tracks?

12 out of 13. Six groups, Plasticines, Les Shades, Brooklyn, The Hellboys, The Parisians, and The Rolls contribute two original tracks each. Whilst Second Sex offer just the opener ‘Lick My Boots’, but what an opener.
And the worst?

Brooklyn’s appropriation of the increasingly unfashionable trademark sound of Placebo, married to a dreary Red Hot Chili Peppers impersonation, on ‘Heart Lies’ would suggest that they are in not fact named after the New York locale. But Brooklyn Beckham. Eeeewww!

Biggest disappointment?

Although massively popular in mainland Europe, Mano Negro barely broke through in the UK. For all their virtues, history looks like it’s going to repeat itself with this new crop of French bands. When London hears Paris calling, it inevitably hangs up the phone.

Verdict:

Rawer than Raw Power, rougher than Road to Ruin, and primed to explode all over your speakers. The Paris music scene has nothing to worry about. The kids are all right.

(4¼/5)