Marc & Robert | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 7, 1988 | |||
Recorded | Studio Davout, Paris Studio Good Earth, London | |||
Genre | New wave, pop rock, synthpop | |||
Length | 38:53 43:12 (with bonus track) | |||
Label | Virgin LP 70635 | |||
Producer | Tony Visconti, Les Rita Mitsouko | |||
Les Rita Mitsouko chronology | ||||
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Singles from Marc & Robert | ||||
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Marc & Robert is the third studio album by French pop rock group Les Rita Mitsouko. It was released in 1988 and reached number thirty-five on the French Albums Chart. [1] Marc & Robert includes the singles "Mandolino City", "Singing in the Shower", "Le Petit Train" and "Tongue Dance".
The album was recorded and mixed with veteran producer Tony Visconti at Studio Good Earth, London and Studio Davout, Paris. Receiving mixed reviews the album was originally released as an LP, Cassette and CD in November 1988. CD editions include a bonus track. The artwork was designed by Fabrice Pernisco with photography by Luc Choquer.
The album marked the group's second collaboration with Tony Visconti after working together on The No Comprendo . The entire album was remixed by Jesse Johnson, though only his mixes of "Tongue Dance", "Singing in the Shower", and "Live in Las Vegas" were used. In an effort to appeal to Anglophone audiences the group collaborated with the American duo Sparks. Brothers Ron Mael and Russell Mael contributed and performed on "Singing in the Shower" and "Live in Las Vegas". Russell Mael also appeared on the Les Rita Mitsouko composition and album opener "Hip Kit".
Marc & Robert displays a notable shift into a greater electronic emphasis, with sequencers and keyboards driving tracks while acoustic instruments are often absent.
The album features a mixture of songs with lyrical themes that range from light in tone ("Singing in the Shower") to more reflective and bitter-sweet. The single "Le Petit Train" (English translation: "The little train") is an example of a song that reflects the dual nature of the lyrics. The song is opens musically and lyrically in a light tone with an almost childish melody. As the song progresses, the lyrical themes turn to serious references such as the use of trains in the deportation of Ethnic minorities and political prisoners during the Holocaust. The music video directed by Jean Achache, conveys the song's disjointed tones by shifting between increasingly oppressive scenes often backed by fencing reminiscent of a concentration camp and a playful Bollywood homage that makes up the lighter sections.
"Mandolino City" was released as the first single in France and Germany. It was backed with the album track "Smog". "Singing in the Shower" was released as the second single and the first in UK and US. French versions were backed with the album track "Harpie and Harpo", the UK release included "Smog" most likely because of its English lyric. CD and twelve inch versions in France and internationally featured the Jesse Johnson remix of "Hip Kit". "Le Petit Train" was released as the third single in France. It was backed with the album-track "Petite Fille Princesse". "Tongue Dance" was remixed by William Orbit and Mark Moore and released as the second UK single, the French release followed almost a year later in 1990. The single was backed with the album-track "Perfect Eyes". "Hip Kit" was remixed by William Orbit and released as a single in late 1990 to promote the group's remix album Re .
"Singing in the Shower" was the album's most successful single peaking at #37 on the French Singles Chart [1] and #24 on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart [2] None of the other three singles charted.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [3] |
Q | [4] |
Marc & Robert received mixed reviews from the majority of critics.
All tracks are written by Fred Chichin and Catherine Ringer; except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Hip Kit" (with Sparks) | 4:57 | |
2. | "Smog" | 3:05 | |
3. | "Mandolino City" | Chichin (music), Jean-Baptiste Mondino (music), Ringer (music and lyrics) | 2:12 |
4. | "Le Petit Train" | Chichin, Marc Fontenoy, Ringer | 5:47 |
5. | "Perfect Eyes" | Philippe Glémée, Ringer | 3:35 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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6. | "Tongue Dance" | 4:44 | |
7. | "Singing in the Shower" (with Sparks) | Ron Mael, Russell Mael | 4:23 |
8. | "Petite Fille Princesse" | 3:24 | |
9. | "Harpie and Harpo" | 2:54 | |
10. | "Ailleurs" | 3:50 | |
11. | "Live in Las Vegas" (with Sparks) (CD bonus track) | Ron Mael, Russell Mael | 4:19 |
Unlike Les Rita Mitsouko's previous two releases, the musician credits do not list all of Fred Chichin and Catherine Ringer's contributions. Instead a selective recounting of their roles are listed.
Anthony Edward Visconti is an American record producer, musician and singer. Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers. His lengthiest involvement was with David Bowie: intermittently from the production and arrangement of Bowie's 1968 single "In the Heat of the Morning" / "London Bye Ta-Ta" to the 2016 release Blackstar, Visconti produced and occasionally performed on many of Bowie's albums. Visconti's work on Blackstar was cited in its Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical and his production of Angelique Kidjo's Djin Djin was cited in its Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album.
Sparks is an American pop and rock duo, originally formed as a Los Angeles band called Halfnelson in 1967 by brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals). Known for their quirky approach to songwriting, Sparks' music is often accompanied by sophisticated and acerbic lyrics, often about women or Shakespearean literature references, and an idiosyncratic, theatrical stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell's animated, hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's deadpan scowling. They are also noted for Russell Mael's distinctive wide-ranging voice and Ron Mael's intricate and rhythmic keyboard playing style. They were much more successful in Europe compared to their native US, though they maintain a loyal cult following there.
Marc Lucien Lavoine is a French singer and actor. In 1985, his hit single "Elle a les yeux revolver..." reached number four on the French Singles chart and marked the beginning of his successful singing career. He stars in the television series Crossing Lines as Louis Daniel, head of an International Criminal Court police team that investigates crimes that 'cross' European borders.
Les Rita Mitsouko were a French pop rock group formed by Fred Chichin and Catherine Ringer. The duo first performed as Rita Mitsouko at Gibus Club in Paris in 1980. They went on to become one of the most acclaimed musical acts in France. "Marcia Baila", their debut single produced by Conny Plank, went to number 2 in the French singles chart in 1984. They then started a collaboration with producer Tony Visconti on two albums: the No Comprendo and Marc & Robert. "Singing in the Shower", sung as a duet with Sparks, was a commercial success in France and was then heavily played on US dance radio stations in 1988. Iggy Pop also collaborated with them on 1993's Système D, duetting with Ringer on "My Love Is Bad".
Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins is the 16th album by American rock band Sparks. It was released in 1994, after an absence from the music industry of 6 years.
Singing in the Shower may refer to bathroom singing.
Catherine Ringer is a French singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, dancer, choreographer, actress, and co-founder of the pop rock group Les Rita Mitsouko. She is also the daughter of French artist Sam Ringer.
The following is a comprehensive discography of Sparks, an American rock and pop music band formed in Los Angeles in 1970 by brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals), initially under the name Halfnelson. Best known for their quirky approach to songwriting, Sparks' music is often accompanied by cutting and acerbic lyrics, and an idiosyncratic stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell's wide-eyed hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's sedentary scowling.
Rita Mitsouko is the début studio album by the French pop rock group Les Rita Mitsouko. It was released in April 1984 and includes the singles "Restez Avec Moi" and "Marcia Baïla".
The No Comprendo is the second studio album by French pop rock group Les Rita Mitsouko. It was released in 1986 and includes the singles "Andy", "C'est Comme Ça" and "Les Histoires d’A.".
Re is a remix album by French pop rock group Les Rita Mitsouko. It was released in 1990 and includes the singles "Hip Kit" and "Don't Forget the Nite". The album is compilation of new remixes, 12" single remixes and a new re-recording.
Système D is the fourth studio album by French pop rock group Les Rita Mitsouko. It was released in 1993 and reached number seven on the French Albums Chart. Système D includes the singles "Y’A D’La Haine", "Les Amants", and "Femme d’Affaires".
Cool frénésie is the fifth studio album by French duo Les Rita Mitsouko.
Variéty is the seventh and last studio album by Les Rita Mitsouko. An English-language version of the album was produced for the international English speaking market under the modified title of Variety. The French-language version reached No. 5 on the French Albums chart, while the English recording peaked at #163.
Acoustiques is a live album by French duo Les Rita Mitsouko. "Les Consonnes" and "La Tailles Du Bambou" were new songs at the time of release and made their début on the album.
Le Bestov is a compilation album by French duo Les Rita Mitsouko. Limited quantities came with an accompanying DVD of videos.
Paul Cartledge is an English record producer specializing in media based projects including advertising, television, film, radio and digital.
"Marcia Baïla" is a 1984 song recorded by the French duo Rita Mitsouko. It was the third single from their first album, Rita Mitsouko, and was released in April of that year. Dedicated to a dancer with the band who died in 1981, this song was a big hit both in France and abroad and can be considered as being one of the band's signature songs.
Plaza Francia is an international musical project of a trio of famous musicians made up of Catherine Ringer as main vocalist singing compositions from Argentine Eduardo Makaroff and Swiss Christoph H. Müller both from Gotan Project.
"Andy" is a song by the French duo Rita Mitsouko. It was released in summer 1986 as the lead single from their second studio album The No Comprendo.