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03/05/2004 La Musique pour les Adultes: Les Inrockuptibles
For two countries separated by 22 miles of shallow water, French and English culture - especially music culture - is so very different. Having just returned from France, I'd like to explore a few of these differences. So this is the first in an occasional series offering some English perspectives on the unique musical culture of France. Readers' reactions and contributions are welcome/seront les bienvenus. The weekly magazine, Les Inrockuptibles, is one of the delights of France's musical culture. I always seek out the current issue whenever I'm across The Channel. It's a weekly glossy wrapped round a TV supplement. Its USP is serious, well-written coverage of some popular music genres ("rock/electro/rap", plus world and jazz), as well as other forms of popular culture - films, TV, DVD, literature, IT and current exhibitions. Les Inrocks' central assumption is that you can be seriously into popular music without leaving your brain at the door. In short, unlike any music mag I've ever read, it's not dumbed-down. What sets it apart from any English language equivalent I know is its robust intelligence. And focus - it covers worthwhile new product, from an independent perspective; it doesn't read like promo. Last week, for example, when Brit monthlies were devoting pages to Eric Clapton's new album, Les Inrocks devoted less than half a page, and allowed the writer to explain in detail why he doesn't rate the blues artist from the Surrey Delta. Not one bit. They do some marvellous special issues (hors serie), too: I picked up a super Bob Marley special last summer, and the current Nirvana special is well worth €7. Mercifully, Les Inrockuptibles ignores the shocking wall-to-wall balladry which dominates the French popular music market - the mass of middle-aged mediocrity labelled "Varietes Francaises" which disfigures most CD outlets. Les Inrockuptibles: vive la difference… Why not take a look: www.lesinrocks.com
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for Grown-Ups Ltd. 2005
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