Les élans

All work, no play and no blog posts makes for a very dull boy. Can't believe that I've only found time for one post this month, but what better than this Memorial Day to rectify the situation?
 
"Les élans" is Quebec singer-songwriter Chantal Archambault's follow up album to 2010's debut "La romance de couteaux" and follows the former's lilting country-folk themes. 

However the years have seen a veritable explosion onto the burgeoning Quebec country-folk scene. 

Artists, such as Marie-Pierre Arthur, Ingrid St-Pierre, Chloe Lacasse, Sophie Baudet, not to mention blog favorites Les Soeurs Boulay, have all left their indelible mark on the genre.

So how does Chantal's sophomore outing shape up?

Actually like a number of young Quebecoise facing up to that daunting second album, prett damn well. The album's openers "Tomber frêle" and "Les détours" are very much up-tempo, sing-along, toe-tapping numbers very reminiscent of MPA, with the added bonus of Melanie and Stéphanie Boulay's angelic harmonies complementing both.

There's a defined ebb and flow to the album, consisting as it does of twelve perfectly crafted and juxtaposed tracks which both lift and then gentle lower the listener. The sensual "Les élan's" sits comfortably alongside the foot-tappin' "Reste donc couchée", for example, alongside a fantastic duet with Michel-Olivier Gasse on the achingly-beautiful  "Chambre 16".
 
Production quality, as appears to be the norm on albums emanating from north of the 49th these days, is absolutely top notch; for example, there's great and sympathetic use of steel guitar and banjo on the two standout country tracks, "Les ébats" and "Toucher les cèdres".

It's quite dangerous to start pigeon-holing artists and album - and in nailing Chantal's colors to the "country-folklorique" mast - I'm as guilty as charged (OK, so I made up that label - but you know what I mean...)

However, put aside your country prejudices - This ain't your parents' "Grand Ole Opry". This is is fine album that can not only quite rightly stand shoulder to shoulder with those of the artists mentioned earlier, but is arguably a contender for this year's Top 10 list.

"Les élans" is well worth a punt from either the artist's bandcamp site or from the usual suspects. 

Check out the video for "Les détours", to see (and hear) what I mean...

Chantal Archambault Website 

Chantal Archambault "Les élans" 

Chantal Archambault bandcamp site