Product Description International movie star, fashion icon, and music royalty (daughter of French pop icon Serge Gainsbourg) makes her US debut. Already platinum in France with worldwide sales of over 500,000. The US CD release includes two previously unavailable bonus tracks, two music videos, and a video interview with Charlotte. Music by Air, lyrics by Jarvis Cocker and The Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon, and produced by Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Beck). .com Even without Charlotte Gainsbourg's musical heritage, the prospect of an album written and performed by Air, with lyrics by Jarvis Cocker (ex-Pulp) and Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy) would be enough to entice most sensible music fans. But as a combination, 5.55 is far better than probably even the participants imagined it would be. The combination of Air's trademark glide complements Gainsbourg's voice (which is less singing and more melodic, breathy recitation), to the point where, had the lyrical input been less than stellar, this could easily have sent the listener to sleep. Instead, the emotional detachment in Gainsbourg's delivery acts as a foil to the passion presented in the lyrics. For their part, Cocker and Hannon excel with their trademark darkly humourous input- the passenger on a doomed flight in "AF407105", the surgery/seduction metaphor in "The Operation", or the venomous "Jamais" being particular standouts. Even though 5.55 bears all the hallmarks of its creators (if so inclined, one could see this as a new Air album, or imagine Cocker or Hannon singing the lyrics), it's even more than the sum of its parts and is almost certainly one of the best albums you'll hear in 2006 or beyond. --Thom Allott
P**L
Great record. Ripoff selling
The record came and it is lovely. But it has a big sticker right on the front of the record sleeve stating "Double LP + CD". However, I got no CD. How hard is it to do what you advertize? Records from Amazon are always a crap-shoot. At least this one plays well. But I paid for a record plus a CD and didn't get it. Way to go Amazon. Take my money and run.
T**W
Secret Doors and Delicate Whispers
"I feel you all around meYou are everything I cannot seeAs the ocean crawls onto the shorelineSo you lap at the edges of me"Charlotte Gainsbourg's vocals are whispers of silky perfection. With a delicious French sensuality, she merges breathy lyrics by Jarvis Cocker, Neil Hannon and AIR with music by AIR. It is true to say she could sing anything and sound sexy.At times the music does overtake her velvety vocals and in "Night-Time Intermission" she almost seems invisible except for giggles and silken nuance. At times the moods of her voice seem more important than the lyrics. The highlight is "Tel Que Tu Es" which is breathtaking.Wistful and creative poetic lyrics make Charlotte Gainsbourg seem wise beyond her years and at times she reminds me of her mother, Jane Birkin on her Fictions album. Charlotte's shyness in singing, which is very attractive in a delicate way, will in no doubt give way to a full range of vocal ecstasy in future albums.~The Rebecca Review
D**P
Five Stars - Should get more
An amazing album from beginning to end.
G**A
A different Charlotte
Charlotte Gainsbourg 5:55 borrows more from "Air" than from her father Serge, and is a complete departure from her previous works. I had hoped that she would've stuck to French, but being the daughter of British singer/actress Jane Birkin (after whom the famous French luxury goods maker Hermès named one of its lines), her English is impeccable and sounds quite sexy. This is a good, solid performance, albeit not one that will keep you awake.
U**Y
5:55 Charlotte Gainsbourg
How did I ever find or hear of Charlotte Gainsbourg I really don't know, but I'm really glad that I did ! This album is absolutely great,I'm not going to go through every track but like everyone else the obvious standouts are 5:55 and Songs that we Sing. I personally can't fault any track on the album. My only negative feedback would be that I wish Charlotte had sang the whole album in French, or at least a few more of the tracks. Also I would have appreciated all of the lyrics along with more liner notes. After paying for the "Enhanced" version of the disc I was also alittle disappointed that the bonus tracks and interview would not play on my P.C. I'm looking forward to a DVD hopefully in the not too distant future. Great album though so the full 5 stars from me !!
G**A
Greatness.
This is the first CG album I purchased and it was so worth it! She has quite a range, and is amazing - this album is a great example of her...greatness.
A**A
la belle Charlotte
This is a lovely collection of her music. The only downside to this CD is that there is an embedded video - which wasn't mentioned in the product description - consequently, I can only play it on my portable CD player. Bummer.
A**R
Awesome Album
I have really enjoyed this album. Charlotte's voice is sultry, and captivating. I wish I knew French to understand what is being said, nonetheless I am really enjoying it, so much so I have even purchased her earlier album Lemon Incest.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
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