V.A.-DOUZE POUR UN VOL. 2, LP, 1987, FRANCE

Following my post of the first Douze Pour Un compilation a few weeks back, here's the second and final installment of this seminal documentation of France's mutant art rock fringe and, as with the first, it's chock 'o block full of the precise sort of wayward curios that we here at Mutant Sounds specialize in. To wit, compilation contributors Look De Bouk, Szentendre, Video-Aventures, Shub Niggurath, Virgule IV and Anne Gillis all have recordings posted elsewhere on MS. If there's a distinction between this and the first Douze collection, it's perhaps down to the inclusion of more hard edged work (note the presence of both Shub Niggurath and Soixante Etages here), whereas the original seemed pretty thoroughly steeped in an air of whimsy throughout. With a compendium where all concerned parties seem to be playing at the top of their game, it's tough to pick favorites, though the ferocious and bludgeoning "Ayayaie Moment" by the post-Etron Fou mob Art Moulu Trefin, Look De Bouk's deliciously soured spin on the circus-y, Quidam's gorgeously systemic and almost Battiato-ish moves and Des Traces successful evocation of This Heat are all toppers (the Video-Aventures cut is a mind-bender too, though already available here via their Musique Pour Garcons Et Filles CD).

Track Listing:

Szentendre-Rapide De Lorraine
Soixante Etages-Discount
Buirette/Cabannes/Fonfrede-Desarroi
Shub Niggurath-Delear Prius
Art Moulu Trefin-Ayayaie Moment
Anne Gillis-Deindimmae
Look De Bouk-Grotte De Briques
Des Traces-Facon D'eveilles
Quidam-Baby-Clone
Video Aventures-A Night With A Marx/1st Part: Happy Harpo
Neo Museum-Decadence Birmane
Elle Est Belle Ou La Ligne Est Claire-Proces
Virgule IV-Trahi Ton Secret

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