La Fleur Fatale
Night Generation
Review By Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
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  Swedish four piece band, La Fleur Fatale released their debut CD entitled Night Generation in late 2007 under Killer Cobra Records. Just in case you're curious La Fleur Fatale means The Fatal Flower and is a by product of former Swedish punk band Planet Superfly. La Fleur Fatale has a strong internet presence, with a URL that is equally as impressive. The CD itself unfolds in a cross pattern with a different band member on each panel – nice touch. Night Generation is just fun to listen to! It almost has a President of the United States of America musical feel to it. Surprisingly it never once lets it's guard down. Night Generation presents an amazing psychedelic soundscape reminiscent of a late 60's psychedelic party groove with a more modern flair.

The CD kicks off with an amazing Sitar intro leading into "Straightway Ride" an amazing intro piece that let's the La Fleur Fatale signature sound make a strong first impression. This is followed by "Night Generation" – an infectious groove with catchy harmonies, organ hooks and a classic chorus build – no doubt a potential hit for La Fleur Fatale.

Throughout the entire 53 minute experience you may notice music reminiscent of Oasis, Yes, XTC, Kinks, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Beck, Who, and even some Steppenwolf woven within the musical texture. I swear I heard a few Mamas and the Papa harmonies in there, but what makes Night Generation so amazing is I've never heard a band sound like so many other bands yet sound so original at the same time.

Track 4: "I Wanna Be Adored" has a driving drum rhythm and a catchy vocal chorus which keeps reminding me of Liam Gallagher (Oasis). Track 5: "Children of Neon Lights" has a real catchy piano, and upbeat Beatles type groove to it. Lead singer, bass player Alexander Calzon provides a warm vocal presence with a reckless swagger reminiscent of young Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones).

You will also notice a wide depth of instrumentation woven everywhere throughout the CD, from flutes, strings, pianos, percussion, guitar, bass, and of course that classic Hammond Organ overtone. But the bread and butter of La Fleur Fatale lies within the diverse guitar and vocal tandems that work so well together. The well crafted harmonies and deep musical textures give Night Generationit's strong diversity that really mix things up. All of the above deliver a strong signature sound that is 100 percent La Fleur Fatale. There are some amazing gems on this CD: from fun and upbeat melodies like: "Sunshine Underground", "Free the View", and "Gigantic Boredom" to softer ballads like "Golden Hair" and "Swift Flash of Mind". "Out of our Dream" has an amazing strawberry fields-like flute presence to it, but I have to say my personal favorite is the bluesy "Queen of Tears." The CD ends with "Seven Years", an amazing finale, similar to that of "Hey Jude", and yep there is even a hidden track at the end which I will let remain a mystery. Let's just say it is the darkest song on the CD.

Generation pushes the envelope with adventurous music that is fun and exhilarating to listen to. The music will remind you of a time when music possessed a free spirit and a youthful recklessness. Lead singer Alexander Calzon lets it all hang out with a strong sex appeal and a reckless vocal demeanor. All the songs are strong and well crafted; I would go so far as to say about 50 percent of this CD has hit potential written all over it. Overall I got to say La Fleur Fatale has all the trademarks of that 4 piece band from Liverpool except with a more modern day bling.