To listen to audio on Rock Paper Scissors you'll need to Get the Flash Player

log in to access downloads
Sample Track 1:
"Amour, t'es là?" from Amour, t'es là?
Sample Track 2:
"Caramel" from Amour, t'es là?
Layer 2
Album Review

Click Here to go back.
Knoxville.com, Album Review >>

Banda Magda’s “Amour, T’es La?” is a vague slice of fizzy world pop, French with a twist of Brazilian and perhaps a dash of Italian. Except instead of French, Brazilians and Italians, the group’s core six includes two Greek, two Japanese and two Argentine members.

Whatever, it’s all an illusion anyway as this aural coloring book blends bright hues of jazz, retro-pop, exotica and other showy styles under the dominion of the effervescent voice of frontwoman/producer Madga Giannikou, a Greek native based in New York.

She wrote all of the lyrics in French because French just sounds better.

Although it’s simply a modern slice of timelessness, the artfully crafted “Amour, T’es La?” gives the aura of a forgotten work from a half century ago that stands up well in 2013.

Giannikou’s delivery is too cute when she veers into cartoonishness, yet she varies her exclamation-point-exuberance with breathy whispers and torchy tones.

The rhythmic title-track opener sweeps listeners into the irresistible flow, followed by the cabaret romp of an “Asteroide” that segues into full-bodied zest. More stand out tracks come in the form of an airy throwback, “Couches-toi,” that brings to mind wide headbands, oversized sunglasses and polka dot mini-dresses, and an exotica-based “Fond de la Mer” that marries exaggeratedly enthusiastic backing vocals and insinuating percussion.

There’s a natural tendency to excess, yet some of the most memorable tracks are when Banda Magda dials it down: For instance, “Ce Soir” is a lush wonder solidly built on stand-up bass, brushed rhythm and vibes, and “Petite Maline” is a quiet finale that puts a surreal period on the party.

That’s fitting, because all of “Amour, T’es La?” feels like a dream.

 07/09/13 >> go there
Click Here to go back.