Well here’s an odd but delightful little gem. Everyone will know Gainsbourg from Je T’Aime…Mois Non Plus with Jane Birkin (who has a small role on this album as well as featuring on the cover), and this is somewhat similar in style, but involves less heavy breathing.
Musically, it’s some very laid back drums overlaid with patches of orchestra, of guitar, quite jazzy and also a bit trip-hop (if done today there would be patches of sampling throughout, I think). Over the top of this, Gainsbourg mainly narrates like a beat poet, with just a little bit of singing. It feels very French, and avant-garde, but also brings to mind the likes of Portishead. Really gorgeous sounds.
Listening to it made me realise that my French really isn’t up to much – I got a bit about snow, and the detailed description of the Spirit of Ecstasy ornament at the front of a Rolls Royce, and that Melody Nelson has red hair (and is wearing a white skirt?). So I sought out the description on line, and it’s a bit of a Lolita storyline – Gainsbourg the narrator is driving his Rolls Royce through the snow (see?) when he knocks Melody Nelson off her bike, leading to a brief love affair. Melody is only 14 years old, hence the Lolita comparison, but it doesn’t feel coercive or awkward. However, further complications are avoided because Melody dies in a plane crash returning to England, and the narrator ponders the thought of her becoming a figure of worship in a Cargo Cult. As you do.
Two long tracks – Melody and Cargo Culte – book-end the album which is otherwise made up of shorter tracks telling the love story. Jane Birkin has a brief appearance as Melody, basically saying her name in character, and providing some giggling. If you can overlook the iffy power dynamics and the hebephilia (which, let’s face it, crops up a lot in French films featuring young girls and summer romances), it’s a really nice bit of conceptual music. It's probably where not having very good French skills is a bonus, as the full impart of the lyrics passes you by.
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