Nouvelle Vague

The disc opens with a rendition of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart." It’s a charming start, and with a breathy chanteuse on vocals, it’s exactly the kind of sound that has some music critics proclaiming (admittedly with a touch of sarcasm) that Nouvelle Vague is the ironic dinner music for the new millennium. Unfortunately, this CD is somewhat less winning as it wears on. "Guns of Brixton" is annoying when done in a loungey mood, and sitting through "Too Drunk to F**k" in the wrong company could certainly ruin the amuse bouche. Nevertheless, the entertaining tracks do outweigh tiresome ones on this release. If this concept sounds like an interesting idea to you, you’re bound to get a smile from the execution. --Leah Weathersby