at a glance...

Hometown: Surrey, England
Year Formed: 1990

Members:
Bob Stanley -synthesizers
Pete Wiggs -synthesizers
Sarah Cracknell -vocals

Bands In The Family:
David Holmes, The Boo Radleys, The Chemical Brothers, Aphex Twin, Lionrock, Broadcast, Underworld, Andrew Weatherhall

Notes:
Named after a French football team, St. Etienne strutted their way into the U.K. music scene with a club-friendly version of Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," launched on the newly- formed Heavenly label. Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs (who have known each other since the age of 6) juggled a number of female singers until they settled on the cat-loving Sarah Cracknell in 1991. Their first two LP's, Foxbase Alpha and So Tough were catchy, cinematic collages of life in Britain. Their third album, Tiger Bay, offered a more refined melange of techno-folk and neo-sixties sophisto-pop. So popular is their sound, that other releases include a b-sides collection, a singles collection, a two-disc remix compilation by various artists such as Aphex Twin and Underworld, and two Japanese-only albums. They are so unique and genre-defying, that Warner Brothers and Virgin never figured out how to promote them in the U.S., thus leading Saint Etienne to release their fourth U.S. LP, Good Humor, on the Seattle-based Sub Pop label, where things look more promising for them.

Saint Etienne have always excelled at making incredibly versatile music. They create songs that are ideal background music for shopping, Sunday drives, and of course, dancing. This is due to their consistent output of lush melodies and light club beats. Their fourth LP, Good Humor, shows that Saint Etienne have created yet another collection of miniature soundtracks for more of those weekly habits.

Good Humor marks the first drastic change in Saint Etienne's eight year career, as they enlist the production assistance of famed Cardigans producer Tore Johansson. Recorded at Tambourine Studios in Malmo, Sweden, the band utilized the studio's half dozen in-house musicians to striking effect. This is also the first Saint Etienne album where Sarah Cracknell sings on all of the tracks. Johansson's influence is so obvious throughout Good Humor, that Cracknell even performs an uncanny impression of The Cardigans' Nina Persson during the first verse of the poppy "Lose That Girl."

Beatles influences appear on the sedated "Mr. Donut." One can sense hints of both "I Am The Walrus" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" on the vibraphone/keyboard arrangements, as well as Ringo Starr's drumming from Sgt. Pepper's. "The Bad Photographer" is a sunny-day theme with a chorus to sing along to with your friends. And for those sluggish days where you just can't get off your ass, the impulsive "Erica America" makes for a great pick-me-up.

Saint Etienne have always had an infectious bubblegum element to their sound and some might be skeptical as to Good Humor's repeat value. But the truth is, you couldn't get tired of this album even if you tried.

If you like Saint Etienne, check out:
Dot Allison Afterglow
One Dove Morning Dove White
Pizzicato Five The Sound Of Music By Pizzicato Five
The Cardigans Life
Mono Formica Blues

-- Miguel Concepcion