People who know Yann Tiersen mainly for his traditional French folk music with modern, minimalist classical influences may be shocked by the song titles that adorn his sixth CD. Dark Stuff and Ashes point to the difficult period the composer went through on a personal level, but what about Fuck Me? Ah, the idyllic soundtracks of French and German films have always been only one side of the French.
With the same pleasure he picks up a guitar to hit it loose. The eight drawn-out songs on Dust Lane are about mortality, a theme that Tiersen was confronted with when his mother and a good friend recently passed away. Perhaps that is also the reason why Tiersen does not work with guest singers now, but takes place behind the microphone himself. Despite the theme, this disc is not heavy on hand, but it also offers space for sparkling melodies and light sounds. A personal record that highlights various sides of the musician. (JE)more