Customer Reviews: Read 23 more reviews...
 amazing July 17, 2001
charley (paris,france)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
The best thing about Vanessa Paradis is that she has great timing and great judgement. She only does things she truly believes in and this is what has sent her way beyond any other teenage popstar. she clearly has great taste in both music and in films. I love it that she doesn't just puts out work every year in order to stay in the picture and stay popular. She has waited 10 years to record this album after her last album and that was a very couragious thing for her to do. I don't know that many artists who are strong enough to do that, they're all so afraid that when they don't release an album every two years people will forget them. Well, Vanessa has proved that waiting pays of, this is her best album yet, it is mature, diverse, unique and most of all personal. i love the songs she has written herself and I love the songs of others she chose to sing. With this album she proves she is a true artist, a musician, and not yet another producers puppet without a voice of her own. She may not have the biggest voice in the world, but there is something honest and pure about it when she sings a song like st Germain or l'eau et le vin. I can't stop listening to this album, i always liked what she did but this album is of a whole other level then her previous ones. I hope she will keep on going like this, I think there is a lot more where this came from. It is just a shame that this album has not been released internationally, it deserves a lot more attention than it is getting.
Stunning new Set from France's most overlooked chanteuse May 22, 2001
Cabir Davis
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
Best known as the 13 year old fresh-faced teen fidgeting her way through a live rendition of her first single on French National Television way back in the 80s, Vanessa Paradis has come full circle with what is possibly the finest moment of her tumultuous career.Unfortunately for her, shes always going to be remembered as the little girl who sang her way to the top of the French charts with 'Joe le Taxi'. While nothing on this CD remotely compares to the girlish innocence of that single, it does have its' childlike moments, best embodied on 'La ballade de Lily Rose', which Vanessa wrote for her daughter. This is Vanessa's first studio album in a decade, and the time away has apparently changed her sound. American listeners who remember her from the infamous 1992 CD with Lenny Kravitz will notice the same jazz-lounge feel of this album. Vanessa's voice has never been a strong instrument, yet she has managed to tone down the Mickey Mouse squeak that so often ruined some of her earlier work, resulting in a suprisingly effective compilation of bluesey harmonies. The first single from this album 'Commando' is markedly different from the other songs on here. There are no rock ballads, and no silly pop ditties. There is, however, an emphasis on eclectic influences. 'L'eau et le vin', the first song, is heavily saturated in Middle Eastern instruments, and sets the tone for the whole album. Another track, 'Pourtant' was recently voted by the singer's fan community as the best song on the CD, though that title most deservedly goes to 'St. Germain', a Billie Holiday-style lounge track that is simply stunning. As a body of work 'Bliss' is strong and flawless. There is not one song on here that falters, and with this album out, Vanessa has flown Light years ahead of contemporary French songstresses such as Ophelie Winter, Axelle Red, and yes, even Mylene Farmer. When I heard that 'Bliss' had been released, I couldn't resist the temptation to listen to the entire album over the Net, and when I did, I was determined to buy the CD. Unfortunately, Vanessa's weak promotion of the CD, and her record companies' sorry attempts at promoting the album even in France, has resulted in a gem of an album going unnoticed. All in all, 'Bliss' has been the shock of the summer. Critics who once passed Vanessa over as another ... kitten without talent will have to eat their words now that this record is out. Coupled with the release of the seemingly classy 'La Fille sur le pont', Vanessa Paradis is definitely THE french chanteuse of the moment, and rightfully so. Highly recommended. The import version is expensive, but certainly worth it.
Original and Romantic January 8, 2004
Santiago B. (Mexico City, Mexico)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
This is the first time I've ever heard Vanessa Paradis singing. I remember her from the movies, and I was hesitant to buy this CD. You know, sometimes artist simply decide to jump off the screens and move into music or other paths simply for the sake of fame, whatever. But this is not the case. The CD is way well produced. In spite of Vanessa's childish voice, which lacks the force of French divas, the soungs are touching and have a lot of feeling.
I really couldn't classify the music on this CD. I'd say it's on the most part ballads and soft jazz, but you will find nice surprises, with some oriental, samba and rock flavours. Good french pop, a must have
Bliss July 1, 2004
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
Vanessa Paradis is an amazing singer. She doesn't have a strong voice, but the way she uses her voice, and the songs she chooses, make her equal to someone like Celine Dion. If you have some of her other CDs, dont buy this one expecting the same teen-pop vibe that she normally gives off [like I did]. The album is incredible, but not like her other CDs- it is so different it has a class of its own. In the same way that Christina Aguilera's "Stripped" ablum was a unification of all kinds of different styles of music, each song on "Bliss" stands on its own as a contrast to the song before it. Absolutley amazing.
"L'eau et le Vin" is such a great first single; it makes you want to get up and belly dance. I have never heard anything even remotley like this from a pop artist before. "Commando" was obviously the big single on the CD, complete with a corny [yet catchy] chorus and a rock-pop beat. The rest of the ablum has a slow calmness to it. "Ballade de Lily Rose" is a beautiful lullaby that could sing anyone to sleep. It has to be one of the most beautiful songs ever written [if you have enough time on your hands to go and translate the lyrics]. I was also suprised that 3 of the 13 songs were in English. Just like the rest of the ablum, these songs won me over. It also amazes me how Vanessa appeals to all different kinds of people, French speaking or not. From ages 7 months to 70-something years, everyone i have ever revealed it to enjoys this CD.
Alot of these songs were written for or about her baby, Lily-Rose, and were co-written by Vanessa's partner and father of her children, Johnny Depp. You wont be dissappointed. There are no words to say how much I enjoy hearing this ablum. It is worth whatever you pay for it.
P.S. Don't buy this as your first Vanessa ablum, you won't appreciate it as much. Start out with "M&J" or "Vanessa Paradis".
beautiful album, beautiful girl. May 19, 2004
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I've listened to this album many times, and there are no bad songs on it. I especially love la ballade de lily rose, st.germain, when i say, and les acrobattes. (i dont speak french, so excuse my spelling hehe) I found out about her through her husband Johnny depp, so i thought i should download a song and see whats she's like. I downloaded When I Say, and i fell in love with her music. I bought the album a few weeks later. What a power couple. She is so talented and has such a sweet voice, and she doesn't rely on someone else to write all her songs. She has to be one of the best singer/songwriters of all time.
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