April March - Paris In April (1996)

A CD combining all of April March's 1995 vinyl release, Chick Habit, with a slew of previously unreleased songs recorded during the same sessions, Paris in April is a glorious blend of '60s French pop and '90s indie sass, centered on the cooing French and English vocals of April March, also known as animator and punk-pop singer Elinor Blake. A large number of musicians contribute, with guitarist-producer Andy Paley leading the group and a guest appearance by Jonathan Richman on "Le Temps de L'Amour." The set kicks off with the brilliant "Chick Habit," which sets France Gall's Serge Gainsbourg-penned hit "Laisse Tomber les Filles" (which shows up in its original French later on) to a "Peter Gunn" guitar line and a smart-alecky English translation that's actually not far removed from the original French lyrics. The other 13 songs mix ye-ye classics and Blake-penned originals in the style, and it says something for the album that it's impossible to tell the two apart. Brilliant stuff, and a highly recommended album for all lovers of '60s French pop.