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Everybody Was in the French Resistance...Now!

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Everybody Was in the French Resistance...Now!


Everybody Was in the French Resistance...Now! are a band dedicated to writing responses to popular songs, featuring Eddie Argos of Art Brut and Dyan Valdés of The Blood Arm. They have released one album, Fixin' the Charts, Vol. 1 in 2010.

History

Eddie Argos announced the band on his blog in 2008, stating that this was a response to Avril Lavigne attempting to "steal men from happy and loving relationships," a sardonic reference to her song "Girlfriend"[1]. Eddie Argos is a renowned 'music geek'[2], and took the opportunity to reply to several songs on this project, from 60's soul numbers on "Hey, It's Jimmy Mack", to Kanye West on "Coal Digger".

It is currently not clear if the band was a one off side project, or if there are plans for a second album, although it has been mentioned in passing on Eddie Argos' blog[3].

Fixin' The Charts, Vol. 1

Untitled


Everybody Was in the French Resistance...Now!'s album was recorded at the legendary Joshua Tree, and was produced by by Dave Newton of Mighty Lemon Drops. [2] The 12 tracks reply to a wide variety of songs, and often take a completely different tack to the original, for example, where Creeque Alley by The Mamas and the Papas sang about the history of the band and the California music scene of the time, Creque Allies is a potted history of the French Resistance in World War II.

Critical Reception

The album received a largely negative reaction in the media. Pitchfork, who are normally favourable to Argos' main band Art Brut stated that it was "for obsessives only", and of the concept that, "a mildly amusing Myspace click can lead to a painfully obnoxious album."[2] It was also variously described as "half finished"[4], and "disposable"[5]

However some songs on the album were praised individually in the same reviews, for example He's a Rebel was regarded as "Funny and witty"[4], and Stereogum referred to Argos as "Indie rock's thick-browed sardonic clown prince."[6]. Contact Music's largely negative review did concede that, "There are moments of pitch perfect piano pop"[5].

Tracklisting

# Title Time Answer song to[2][4][6]
1 "Creque Allies" 3:08 The Mamas & the Papas - "Creeque Alley"
2 "G.I.R.L.F.R.E.N (You Know I've Got A)" 3:21 Avril Lavigne - "Girlfriend"
3 "(I'm So) Waldo P. Emerson Jones" 2:52 The Archies- "Waldo P. Emerson Jones"
4 "The Scarborough Affaire" 2:29 "Scarborough Fair" (trad. arr.)
5 "Billy's Genes" 3:27 Michael Jackson - "Billy Jean"
6 "Think Twice (It's Not Alright)" 3:31 Bob Dylan - "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
7 "Hey! It's Jimmy Mack" 3:01 Martha & The Vandellas- "Jimmy Mack"
8 "He's A Rebel" 2:42 The Crystals - "He's A Rebel"
9 "Coal Digger" 2:40 Kanye West- Gold Digger
10 "My Way (Is Not Always the Best Way)" 3:19 Frank Sinatra - "My Way"
11 "Superglue" 1:37 Elastica - "Vaseline"
12 "Walk Alone" 3:19 Gerry & The Pacemakers - "You'll Never Walk Alone"

Personnel

  • Eddie Argos- Vocals, composer
  • Dyan Valdés- Vocals, piano, composer
  • David Newton- Producer, guitar, bass
  • Louis Castle- Trumpet
  • Nick Armoroso- Drums
  • Bekki Newton- Vocals
  • Dave Schultz- Mastering[7]

References

  1. ^ Eddie Argos (May 7th, 2008). "The Eddie Argos Resource- Everybody Was in the French Resistance...NOW". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d Marc Hogan (February 18th, 2010). "Pitchfork Reviews- Fixin' the Charts, Vol. 1". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |pub= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Entire ewitfrn Show".
  4. ^ a b c Jude Clarke (January 25th, 2010). "The Line of Best Fit- Fixin' the Charts". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |pub= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b Ben Walton. "Everybody Was In The French Resistance...Now! - Fixin' the Charts Vol.1 Album Review".
  6. ^ a b "Stereogum- EWITFRN GIRLFREN video". January 19th, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Allmusic Fixin the Charts Vol. 1".
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