France’s Emilie Simon is a beautiful, sexy artist who conveys her emotions even if you don’t understand a word of French. Not all her songs are in French so English speakers can delight in her English lyrics as well. She wouldn’t need even to talk to the audience and her presence would remain magnificent. But like her opener, Butterfly Boucher, she engaged the audience with just enough conversation. I am in love with her voice, a voice that’s difficult to describe as it’s got a rare and unafraid range. I don’t think I have heard a voice this unique since Klaus Nomi, and that’s a compliment of the highest order. I’m not saying she sounds like Klaus Nomi, just that she’s got a singular voice. Standout pieces for me were Ballad, Opium, Dreamland, Closer and The Way I See You. Opium in particular was a space age dream the way she presented it in her gold dress and with what appeared to be a robotic attachment on her arm.
Emilie Simon @ the Crocodile Gallery
