Julie Doiron - Desormais (2001)

The first Francophone album from this alternative Canadian chanteuse is very similar to Broken Girl, despite the obvious language difference. The sparse, airy ambience only reinforces the brittle and fragile stylings of her voice, creating brief vignettes of the heart, youth, and love. Perhaps if there's one knock against the album, it's how a few of the songs seem rather undeveloped, particularly "Faites de Beaux Reves," which has Doiron solo with guitar accompaniment and is the album's closer. Here, the song never truly gets off the ground, which is a shame considering the album and its total effect. One English song, "Don't Ask," is the most up-tempo tune of the ten. Samples are also hidden briefly in "Le Piano," but thankfully they don't dominate. Although some might disregard the album on a lingual basis, the mood and theme come across early and often. Warm and personal, it's perfect for sipping wine near a fireplace on a snowy December evening with your mate.