Francois And The Atlas Mountains
Piano Ombre (Domino)
12/20
The ingredients that compile Frànçois and the Atlas Mountains are healthy and active elements for any band making alternative guitar music. There is the afro-pop informed guitar plucking, the swaying French chanson stylings and the grandiose, re-imagined folk music. It’s understandable, then, that on a first listen their album tastes overbearingly rich, leaning on so much variety and character it seems easy to be pushed away by the whimsical wonder of it all.
It’s lucky Frànçois and the Atlas Mountains have melody on their side. In less capable hands the coquettish French lyricism and jovial production would lose any value beyond being marketably playful. However tracks like La Vérité and La Fille Aux Cheveux de Soie showcase a very genuine awareness of melodic sensibilities, backing up their fluffy intentions with stirring and affecting musicianship.
As the album progresses and allows itself time to breathe, the band manage to shake off their peppiness altogether. Title track Piano Ombre and Fancy Foresight showcase downtime with sweet ballads and subtle production, suggesting that perhaps they would benefit from pursuing their darker inclinations. Resoundingly it is an album that does little to skew alt-pop traditions, yet through basic talent the band produce something enjoyable and lasting – just.
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Words: Angus Harrison
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