Western sous la neige
Encyclopedia
Western sous la neige is the fourth studio album by Dionysos
, a French
rock
band, released 5th March 2002 and produced by Steve Albini
. The title translates as western in the snow, and encapsulates the surrealist style of the album. The band's lead singer wrote a book 38 mini westerns in the same year.
This album broke the band into the mainstream thanks to their first radio hit Song for Jedi; this album is also a Gold Disc.
Two live albums Whatever the Weather (an acoustic and an electric version) were released, composed mainly of songs from this album. There is also a live DVD of the same name.
is repeatedly referenced - the lead singer aspired to be like his hero before an accident ended his tennis-playing career.
.
The album was originally released on the Trema label, which has since been bought over by Universal. The album is now under their Barclay
label.
Michael Ponton – electric guitar, 'scratches', keys, backing vocals
Eric Serra-Tosio – drums, maracas, whistle
Guillaume Garidel – bass, double bass, keys
Elisabeth Ferrer (now Maistre) – violin, piano, keys, castanets, "demi-lune", backing vocals
Greg – as John McEnroe
Lionel Darenne – handclaps on "Anorak"
Assistants: Lionel Darenne and J-P Maillard
Mixed by Steve Albini and Dionysos at Electrical Audio
(Chicago)
Mastered at Abbey Road
by Steve Rooke
Dionysos (French band)
Dionysos is a French rock band formed in 1993 in Valence, Drôme; they formed at their lycée. They perform songs in both French and English, and have released six studio albums. They are well known in France for their surrealism and eccentricity....
, a French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band, released 5th March 2002 and produced by Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
. The title translates as western in the snow, and encapsulates the surrealist style of the album. The band's lead singer wrote a book 38 mini westerns in the same year.
This album broke the band into the mainstream thanks to their first radio hit Song for Jedi; this album is also a Gold Disc.
Two live albums Whatever the Weather (an acoustic and an electric version) were released, composed mainly of songs from this album. There is also a live DVD of the same name.
Themes
There are several recurring themes throughout the album. The tennis player John McEnroeJohn McEnroe
John Patrick McEnroe, Jr. is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career, he won seven Grand Slam singles titles , nine Grand Slam men's doubles titles, and one Grand Slam mixed doubles title...
is repeatedly referenced - the lead singer aspired to be like his hero before an accident ended his tennis-playing career.
Production
The album was recorded in just fifteen days, mixing included. The album has a more natural and live sound than its predecessor Haïku. It was mastered at Abbey Road StudiosAbbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
.
The album was originally released on the Trema label, which has since been bought over by Universal. The album is now under their Barclay
Barclay Records
Barclay Records is a French record label founded in the mid-1950s by Eddie Barclay under the alias, Edouard Ruault. Eddie Barclay also founded the Riviera label in the early-1950s....
label.
Tracklisting
All songs by Dionysos- "Intro : theme from "Western sous la neige""
- "Coiffeur d'oiseaux"
- "Tokyo Montana"
- "Longboard blues"
- "Déguisé en pas moi"
- "Mc Enroe's poetry"
- "Don Diego 2000" intro
- "Don Diego 2000"
- "Surfin Frog"
- "Coffin song"
- "She is the Liquid Princess"
- "Petit Colorado"
- "Anorak"
- "I love you"
- "Longboard train"
- "Song for Jedi"
- "Rodéo" + hidden track "Mc Enroe folk"
The band
Mathias Malzieu – vocals, folk guitar, harmonicaMichael Ponton – electric guitar, 'scratches', keys, backing vocals
Eric Serra-Tosio – drums, maracas, whistle
Guillaume Garidel – bass, double bass, keys
Elisabeth Ferrer (now Maistre) – violin, piano, keys, castanets, "demi-lune", backing vocals
Guests
JP Maillard – bass on "Mc Enroe's poetry"Greg – as John McEnroe
John McEnroe
John Patrick McEnroe, Jr. is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career, he won seven Grand Slam singles titles , nine Grand Slam men's doubles titles, and one Grand Slam mixed doubles title...
Lionel Darenne – handclaps on "Anorak"
Production
Produced by Steve AlbiniAssistants: Lionel Darenne and J-P Maillard
Mixed by Steve Albini and Dionysos at Electrical Audio
Electrical Audio
Electrical Audio is a recording facility founded in Chicago, Illinois by musician and recording engineer Steve Albini in 1997. Hundreds of independent music projects have been recorded there....
(Chicago)
Mastered at Abbey Road
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
by Steve Rooke