Directly translated Le Fiasko means “the failure”, but this Danish collective is so far from being that on their eponymous debut. Well, it of course depends on musical tastes, but should you be in to symphonic noise-world-pop-rock with endless twists and turns then ‘Le Fiasko’ is right up your alley.

Led by primary songwriters singer/cellist Cæcilie Trier (Choir Of Young Believers, Jong Pang) and producer/bassist/guitarist Andreas Pallisgaard (Sidste Ambulance) and backed by forces from Under Byen and Atoi among others, the collective has been one of the most talked about Danish bands well over a year and six months ago they signed with Are We Brothers? label Speed Of Sound. With only one song clocking in at less than five minutes (and ambient highlight ‘Mexico Bay’ more than nine) it could seem quite an earful, but Le Fiasko keep it fresh with inspiring diversity.

Like when ‘Lydia’ let’s it rip with sonic noise avant-garde punk with a touch of The Raveonettes only to merge into melodic and acoustic pleasure, or when ‘Ships Go Down’ moves from delicate banjo-pop into a party with an Albanian wedding band on acid. Other standout songs include spaced out folk opener ‘Titled One’, ‘Canapés on Cocktail Sticks’ with its “1960s girl group gone punk” feel and album closer ‘Kabul’, a sinister piano ballad showing that a musical saw can be used for the good (who knew?!).

In September we featured Le Fiasko in our SpaceScan calling on references like neo-folksters Akron/Family and Animal Collective. It’s still there, the new folk, but the final album as a whole has come out quite a bit darker and more noisy, a twist CO-producer Mikkel Holtoug (e.g. Death By Kite) can take credit for according to the band. That, combined with horns, strings, excellent choir arrangements and Le Fiasko’s kind guidance when you feel lost, is an open invitation to a musical adventure.

Genre: Rock
Who: Le Fiasko
Title: Le Fiasko
Label: Speed Of Sound/A:larm Music
Year: 2008
Country: Denmark
Language: English
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Recommended tracks:
Titled One – Lydia – Mexico Bay – Ships Go Down – Canapés on Cocktail Sticks – Kabul