Isabelle Caux - Everest

Newcomer Isabelle Caux's debut, "Everest", is the kind of music I've been hoping to hear for quite a while. In the American music market there has been a surge of sensitive, pensive female singer-songwriters (just look at the many diverse artists at this summer's Lilith Fair), but it has been a while since France has presented a new strong female muscial figure.

Isabelle Caux might be France's answer to Sarah MacLachlan. With a lovely falsetto and tasteful arrangements backing her, Caux sings stories of love, passion and indecision. Her lyrics are questioning yet hopeful, as in the song "Changer l'eau des fleurs": "Feuille après feuille je déchire mon agenda/ J'ai besoin de nouveaux visages de nouveaux visas," she purrs.

Her sound is folk-rock, upbeat and radio-ready, although there are quiet moments. The plaintive "Everest" ("Pas de dragon, de princesse endormie/ Ici le monde se meurt de gloire et d'envie/ Moi, mon univers se colore la nuit") sets Caux's delicate vocals to a simple keyboard and string arrangement. "Baie d'Along" is built on a percolating rhythm track and keyboards, while our heroïne dreams: "Les nuits sont longues…Quand on n'a rien, rien d'autre à faire/ Que de rêver au grand voyage".

To hear a sample

"Changer l'eau des fleurs"

"Baie d'Along"

hp04729.jpg (7358 bytes)
Isabelle Caux
Everest
Item#04729 $21.95 CD
Songs: On ne pense à rien, J'attends, Changer l'eau des fleurs, Les jours de mélodies anglaises, Tout ce bleu, Si tu venais à t'en aller, Everest, Mots.D.Mots.D, Indigo, Reste encore à se séparer, Baie d'along. Lyrics included.

Song after song, "Everest" will work its way into your subconscious and will become a favorite. There is not a track on this whole album that I didn't like. Highly recommended!