NEUROTIC SWINGERS - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD PRESS

UP YOURS (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
As a label that’s willing to seek bands abroad the U.S. of A, Dead Beat gives us this new one. Thus last years release of “French Fries, Guillotine & Love” by the French late 77-punks of THE NEUROTIC SWINGERS should be much of a surprise. Not only has DeadBeat been aware of the punkrock ongoings in France over the past decades, they even brought a bunch of French bands over to tour parts of the US. On this 13 tracker (actually it’s 14 as you should count the bonus video clip of “I’m Just Losing My Soul” also) there’s a handpicked selection of the bands previously and currently ‘out-of-print’ material. Maybe not the ultimate thing for those Europeans, who had access to the vinyl stuff at that time, but very useful for the highly deserved American recognition for the band. But then again it also has 4 brand new, not-yet-released tracks. Those new tracks follow the savage, full-on energetic swagger that’s so typical for the highly endorsed late 77 punkrock sound of the SWINGERS. “French Fries, Guillotine & Love” is a fresh sounding upward move in the bands career, a step which they surely will manage to make without huge difficulty since they’ve given proof of a being a solid unit set out to create as much catchy, hard bobbin’ punkrock’n’rolla galore as they can. If you’re not at all familiar with the bands musical style so far picture the late 70s punk greats (Saints, Heartbreakers, Damned, Pagans, Dead Boys, Boys, Ramones and Kids) onto a 21st century time warp or just try this out to see how correct I am.

MELODICK (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
On connaît les liens qui unissent le label marseillais et le label Us, il n’est donc pas étonnant de se voir proposer une version Us des mélodies swingantes des Neurotics. Pochette pour touriste (Marat dans sa baignoire) et titre débile, le cd est donc une réunion d’extrait de « whats your definition of underground » et « artrats » accompagné de quelques inédits (à priori vraiment inédit, je n’ai pas vérifié) et d’une vidéo tournée à l’arrache mais qui montre bien les NS en live. Coté musique rien a redire. Cet album s’adressera néanmoins au fan qui veut TOUT.

THE RISE AND THE FALL (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
I like it, I mean I'd buy it...Sounds like a runaway freight train to hell and I'm lovin' it. Neurotic Swingers are pretty good. Who doesn't like to shoot junk, have fun and not give a shit!

ODYSSEY (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
This Chuck Berry/50s/Tommy Tutone/Devil Dogs-homage with old-school punk and pop tendencies is the perfect chaser to a harrowing night at the bar. It's the type of thing where you throw it on before you collapse on your recliner and listen with that stupid drunken grin on your face as you count the evening's regrets and embarrassments. At times it's sort of like a male dominated, glossier version of the Bobbyteens. Less original/less exciting numbers like "Speed Drinker" (a high-speed, foray into Nine Pound Hammer riffs and standard hoarse-throated vocals, it's not bad, but it sure doesn't stand out), are easily trumped by superb catchiness that is "Burn the Floor" and "Party Killer" and "I'm just Losing My Soul." If all pop punk bands sounded as good as this, it wouldn't have the bad name that it does today. Those French accents add something if you ask me.

FLYING REVOLVERBLATT (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
Neurotic Swingers go America! Und das nicht nur in Form der gerade beendeten USA-Tour sondern auch mit einem Tonträger bei Dead Beat Records. Dieser vereint die besten Stücke der beiden bisherigen Platten auf ihrem Heimatlabel Lollipop, darunter solche Smasher wie "Dead Language", "Party Killer" oder "Go Back Home"und bietet dazu einige extra Stücke und das Bonus-Video von "...losing my Soul". Eine feine Sache nicht nur für die Amis, sondern auch für Diejenigen hierzulande, die sich bisher nicht von dem dynamische New-Wave-Punque der Franzosen anstecken lassen haben. Für den bereits infizierten sind besonders die neuen Stücke interessant, die den eingeschlagenen Weg konsequent fortsetzen, wobei sie sich auch 1 x ihrer Muttersprache bedienen. Besonders hervorzuheben: "Please hate me". Eine klasse Band, von der wir hoffentlich noch mehr hören werden. huc

HOUSE OF SMUT (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
Very few bands are able to meld the fury of punk rock n' roll with keen pop
sensibility and maintain any sense of credibility. The Neurotic Swingers are
one of those special bands who manage to pull this off. As such, their
French Fries, Guillotine & Love CD is a real treat for the ears. In the end,
it makes everything old feel new again.

In a lot of ways, the Neurotic Swingers could be thought of as France's
answer to D*Generation. While the Swingers err more on the side raw-assed
pure rock n' roll than their U.S. counterparts, French Fries, Guillotine &
Love is still more or less in that same ballpark. This is very authentic
feeling and worthy punked rock n' roll, yet the hooks are so huge and
entrancing it seems a travesty these songs aren't littered over every radio
station in the world. From those the most staunchly underground to the
greenest of mall punkers, there's a fortune to be found in this disc.

While French Fries, Guillotine & Love compiles select cuts from the band's
What's Your Definition Of Underground EP, their Art Rats LP, and a handful
of new tunes, the song selection is such that this platter flows as a
seamless entity unto itself. The What's Your Definition Of Underground
portion shines brightest on the infectuous chorus of that EP's title track,
as well as during the harshed out "Burn The Floor." The Art Rats output
quickly delivers more hook-laden goodness with "Party Killer" and "I'm Just
Losing My Soul." Still, the best of that batch is the massive "Straight,"
complete with some very nice Hanoi Rocks overtones. That feel continues
during the fresh tracks on "7 Drugs In 7 Days," while "'77" offers the most
original taste of the Neurotic Swingers thanks to some interesting chord
shifts.

Really, there isn't a moment of letdown to be found on French Fries,
Guillotine & Love. All in all, this is a great introduction to a really
killer band. Rest assured, you'll be wanting to investigate the whole
releases this material was culled from after an initial taste of the
Neurotic Swingers. For fans of all the aforementioned bands, as well as the
Backyard Babies. Very good stuff.

ASSERT (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
Think of 70s punk ala Sex Pistols with a rockabilly feel to it! I know it
might be hard to picture but this band rocks. Lots of great guitaring. Some
good up-tempo punk rock! Gotta love the pic slides!! They also feature a
video on the CD, its noting special I enjoyed much more listening to the
band rock out. Recommended for all the new pogo & rockabilly punks that seam
to be appearing everywhere. These guys come all the way from France.

CONCERT & CO (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
Etant arrivé un poil en retard pour le concert des Neurotic Swingers qui a
précédé leur historique tournée en Amérique du nord je navais pas réussi a
me procurer leur nouveau disque sobrement intitulé French fries guillotine &
love tiré a trop peu dexemplaire. Du coup jai dépêché une amie sur place
pour aller me lacheter dans un club perdu quelque part dans les bas fond du
Midtown New York (Le Siberia). Le début du disque est en fait une
compilation regroupant les titres les plus percutants de leur deux premiers
disques. Les 4 premiers sont ainsi tirés du mini album Whats your
definition of undergroung (2002). Les 5 suivants du très bon Artrats (2003).
Les 4 derniers titres (qui rendent ce disque indispensable) ont été
enregistrés spécialement pour loccasion par le fidèle Marc Blunt quelque
part du coté de la Plaine : La Reine du vide premier titre avec des paroles
en français (le refrain uniquement il me semble), le très sautillant 7 drugs
in 7 days (tout un programme ) avec Stéphane ? au chant, 77 et pour finir
un Please hate me qui rappelle un peu dans lidée le I hate you (yeah yeah
yeah) qui finissait en beauté le premier album des Gasolheads Enfin a
noter la présence dun bonus vidéo de Im just losing my soul (lune de mes
chanson préférée) qui est un réel plaisir pour les yeux comme pour les
oreilles. (Pirlouit)

ROCK N ROLL PURGATORY (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
Plucking the bones of late 70's punk rock, this French band successfully takes that sound, plugs it into their own electricity, and lights up with something incredibly catchy and alive that other bands with similar circuitry generally miss out on. They've played with the likes of Radio Birdman and the Briefs, and have a nimble pulse pumping through songs that punch and flow with a timeless appeal. This might be the disc to fill that aching void in your collection and complete you as a person. It seriously is unsettlingly good. – BL

PUNKRAWK (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
Se permettre un simili best-of alors qu'on n'affiche qu'un EP et un album (pas des demi-portions notez bien) au compteur, peut paraître prétentieux. D'autant que c'est sur proposition d'un label californien que les Marseillais se livrent à ce pêché d'orgueil. Sous l'enseigne French Fries, guillotine & Love, les enfants spirituels des Dogs ont sélectionné ce qu'ils considèrent comme meilleur d'eux-mêmes. Les fans disent merci !

X-Rock (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
Notez que French Fries, Guillotine & Love, ça fait toujours moins franchouillard que Béret basque et Baguette sous le bras. Folklo d'accord, mais punk quand même. Les Marseillais ont sélectionné 13 chansons de leur répertoire dont des versions inédites et une vidéo pour composer cette compilation édité sur un label californien. Et vu qu'ils ne sont pas bégueules, ils vont embarquer, fin septembre, pour une tournée nord-américaine importante pour promouvoir le disque. Les Américains ont vite vu en Neurotic Swingers la réincarnation des Dogs de Dominique Laboubée. Et les Dogs aux Etats-Unis, ça signifie encore quelque chose. Les Neurotic sont tirés à quatre épingles, toujours élégants dans leur tenue vestimentaire, leur jeu de scène et dans leur façon de trousser la belle rengaine. Des notions punk qui semblent s'être volatilisées en France au profit de pseudo-engagements sans lendemain. Tant pis pour nous, nous sommes en train d'assister, inertes, à une fuite de cerveaux. Ces mecs ont beaucoup trop de classe pour le voisinage ! (9/10) Patrick Foulhoux

ROCKSOUND (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
Pour peu qu'on procède intelligemment, il est facile de vaincre le signe indien qui prétend qu'un artiste français n'a aucune chance outre-atlantique et ce, malgré les relations diplomatiques tendues entre les deux pays ces temps-ci, ce qui paraît d'autant plus rédhibitoire. Les Marseillais prouvent qu'il n'en est rien, encore faut-il être doué et avoir de la classe ! Du talent et de l'élégance, peuchère, les Swingers n'en manquent pas. Avant leur grosse tournée nord-américaine, un label californien huppé qui a déjà collaboré avec des Français (TV Killers, Gasolheads) édite un best of. Honorable pour un groupe finalement jeune. Ce French Fries… est une sélection de ce que le groupe considère comme son matériel préféré. Les Neurotic ont ajouté des versions démos qui méritent d'être publiés selon eux (NDLR : Pas du tout, ce sont 4 nouveaux titres composés et enregistrés spécialement pour ce disque). Bien leur en a pris, on redécouvre des titres encore plus bruts, plus punks. Comment cela est-il possible, vous demandez-vous ? venez voir et vous verrez les animaux les plus féroces manger les métaux les plus durs… (8/10) PF

ROCKONE (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
Le fait est relativement rare pour être signalé, un groupe français sort une compilation sur un label spécialisé californien et s'en va soutenir sa sortie par une tournée américaine. On ne fait généralement de best of que de vieux groupes, histoire de faire un bilan ou le point. Alors que les Marseillais des Neurotic sont une jeune groupe. Second fait rare pour des français, ils se sont rapidement fait remarquer par la qualité de leurs chansons ; leur nom a circulé tout autour du monde dans le circuit punk. Après le Japon, ce sont les USA qui s'intéressent de très près à eux. L'élégance faîte punk (7/10) Dick Stefanos

STATION SERVICE STRASBOURG (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)

French Fries, Guillotine & Love, le credo punk de la culture française, la bouffe, la revolution et la baise, domaine public du coup de boule et du coup de rein. Une définition qui sent l'huile, le sang et le lubrifiant. Un bon titre de compile en somme, parue sur le label américain Dead beat pour mettre l'huile en question sur le feu d'une tournée des américains en octobre dernier. On y recense le meilleur de ces petites frappes de Marseille. 4 titres du What's your definition of undergound mini-album paru en 2002, 5 titres d'Artrats leur album qui leur a valu un paquet de louanges médiatiques aux Etats-Unis et 4 nouveaux brûlots enregistrés en mars de cette année, évoquant dans la cohue, Dead Boys, New York Dolls ou les Sex Pistols. Un disque sous pression, raccourci saisissant d'un glam punk 'n' rollband déterminé, à coup de riff gras et de binaire ventre à terre, à faire passer le message (Patrick Pfeiffer)

AMP (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
The French have returned to punkdom in a BIG way in the past year. While I would put this band near the top of the heap, I'm sure many folks could get off on their snotty, poppy punk. This domestic release compiles the finest moments off of their many European releases. Far from great, but certainly good enough to get casual '77 punk fans going. Me? Take it or leave it... (MC)

LOW CUT (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
These froggies are getting a lot of buzz at the moment, some compared'em to The Hives and The Briefs. The Swingers deliver some very catchy and snotty classic '77 punkrock songs with some solid rock'n'roll hooks. I had to listen to the album a couple times before I completely surrendered to their irrisistable tunes which have a thick but charming French accent on the vocals. This is highly addictive stuff; full-on youthful and cheerful punkrawk with a wonderful raw edge, kinda like Japanese punk meets The Ramones. There's no a dud among the 13 tracks, "Night Riders" is a highlight, so pick it up if you wanna have fun, baby! The CD also has a video for "I'm Just Losing My Soul", a wellmade video with footage of live clips from 2 shows, pretty neat.

DEEP FRY BONANZA (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
Is there a bigger fuck-you to American right now than owning up to your French heritage? While those innocuous Irish enjoy their capacity for drink and apolitical Asians sit in the corner doing math equations, the arrogant, obnoxious French are out there fucking up America's program of world domination, for no other reason than spite (well, maybe that AND cheap petroleum; but it's not like American's can't sympathize with that). Why? well, according to some people it's because they HATE FREEDOM! See, that's why renaming french fries "freedom fries" was so clever: it makes us identify the French with the very thing they hate! It's sort of like if we had re-named German Shepherds "Jew hounds" during World War II.

Now, to dispense with possibly the most un-PC intro ever published on DFB and get to the actual music, from the record's title to the day-glo reproduction of David's classic painting "The Death of Marat" that graces its cover, French Fries, Guillotine & Love is more French than ham and cheese on a baguette. And while you might expect that, thanks to their poncy nature, the French can't really rock out, the Neurotic Swingers prove that the French have more fuck you spirit than most war-lovin' Americans could dream of mustering.

You probably already noticed the pink and yellow day-glo layout and moaned about another band of skinnie-tied kids with dollar signs in their eyes and, indeed, French Fries, Guillotine & Love has some definite new wave tendencies, but the Neurotic Swingers never sound cutesy or retro. Just listen to "Go Back Home," a song built around a riff so catchy you'd swear that it was swiped from early 80s pop radio; despite the fact that that riff could probably get my grandma to go nuts, the Neurotic Swingers don't sound like they're playing to the lowest common denominator. They just bang out that broad, classic riff with all of the bile and attitude of Dolls-era Johnny Thunders.

While not every song on French Fries, Guillotine & Love is a hit of the calibre of "Go Back Home," every song is solid and there are a handful of real gems sprinkled throughout the record. I know that this new wave-influenced punk sound has grown extremely tired as of late (if you ask me, though, that's mostly because of bands like the Soviettes and the Girls leaning too far toward the cutesy New Wave end of the equation), but the Neurotic Swingers make this dish palatable again with the secret ingredient to any great punk rock record: a big, hearty sprinkling of FUCK YOU!

TIME TO ROCK N ROLL (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD, Dead Beat)
The Neurotic Swingers deliver catchy, 77’ inspired pop leaning tunes. Reminds me of the Pushers mixed with a bit of the Briefs or the Registrators, and perhaps a lil’ Angry Samoans thrown in for good measure. “What’s Your Definition of Underground?” stands above the rest of the cuts on this slab, as an amazing track. I think after a couple of listens this will definitely grow on me.

SLEAZEGRINDER (Neurotic Swingers - 'French Fries, Guillotine & Love' CD)
‘Neurotic’ is a really bad trait for a ‘Swinger’ to have, but these Neurotic Swingers are Frenchies, so let’s just assume there’s something profound in the translation. “FF&G&L” is a comp, a “Story So Far” collecting single, EP, and comp tracks from NS’ releases since their debut in 2001. Their sound is hook-heavy glitter punk, a contagious, juke-box baiting roar that you’d have to be fuckin’ dead and buried not to be moved by. Very reminiscent of super-duper German glam-slammers the Revolvers, the Swingers add a shot of ol’ fashioned charm to their cocktail of Dead Boys riffs and Thunders solos and stardust, and lemme tell ya, charm goes far in rock n’ roll. Check out the Social D-esque greaseball punk of “Straight”, the blistering glambilly of “Speed Drinker”, and the sceamalong pogo punk of “Please Hate Me” for three prime examples. Ain’t a bad track, or a pussy ballad, anywhere to be found here. Bitchin’. I’d say something clever in French now, but you know, war on terror and all.
PS, don’t worry if the CD takes over your PC, it just wants to show you Le Roque video!