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Recent reviews for Champagne Francis

Champagne Francis

Champagne Francis comes from NYC. Their music is catchy, full of hooks and potent melodies that hit with a passion and purity rarely heard. Francis' work crackles with energy and snags the listener's attention in the short time it takes the ear to send the signal to the brain. From there, the message hits the heart and a fan is born.

Champagne Francis pays special attention to the mood of the music and does so by writing songs that are robust and receive full artistic attention on all levels. Champagne Francis' songs are well-rounded and finely honed, from the rhythms to the melodies to the lyrics - it's all the finest quality.

Behind the Music

But while melodies are vital and lyrics require intelligence and thoughtfulness, it ultimately comes down to the art and soul, so to speak, of the musician. Real passion, emotional honesty and a free creative process must dominate. "I really like songs with great lyrics, but ultimately it is the person behind the music and lyrics. Whatever that person is putting out there is what connects with someone who can relate to feeling that way."

The Artist at Work

Champagne Francis' recent release "I Start to Daydream" landed editors' picks honors in Guitar Player Magazine and The Absolute Power Pop Top 100 of 2006. According to www.rockandrollreport.com, Champagne Francis is "one of the greatest pop discoveries." The group is busy writing music for the follow-up to "I Start to Daydream" and is focusing on a stronger acoustic element this time around. "It seems like some of the demos we did that are really clean come across with a lot of emotion."

Press:

"One of the greatest Pop discoveries of 2006, no question. What got to me was the voice of Brian Silverman: suave, melancholy. "Old Vampires" starts the album in an impeccable manner: mid-tempo rhythm, languid production, superb melody. This CD has the kind of title that makes you want to consume the music without moderation. And the remainder of the CD just endorses that feeling: music without effect, a disarming simplicity, luminous melodies and a sensitivity that works. Without seeming to touch there, Champagne intoxicates the listener slowly and irresistibly. We should also salute the two discreet musicians who play on the album: Connie on bass and chorus as well as Nigel Rawles on drums. This is a production far superior to a number of big time major label releases. A heartwarming CD to end the year." www.rockandrollreport.com

Champagne Francis-I Start to Daydream "From the first hooky chorus of "Old Vampires", the leadoff track from Champagne Francis' sophomore release I Start to Daydream, you know you're in for power pop goodness, and the rest of it doesn't disappoint. CF are from New York City, but they sound like they hail from somewhere more sunny like California or Georgia, as they have kind of a west coast pop meets Athens, GA jangle feel. Although neither are from California or Georgia, the closest analog I hear is a combination of The Merrymakers and The Connells. The first five tracks on this disc are as good as any you'll hear this year, capped off by the rocking "Burned to the Ground". The rest aren't exactly chopped liver either, especially "High Comedy" and the jangly "Walter". www.absolutepowerpop.blogspot.com

"Like a restrained Weezer, they cram enough sweetness into this album to guarantee that power pop lovers will extract maximum satisfaction out of every second!" - PowerOfPop.com

"Instead of being just sort of melodic, sort of catchy, the songs on this band's second cd are ridiculously catchy, ridiculously good. I Start to Daydream is a whole album full of hook-laden tunes that will play in your head all day long, that will catch up with you when you least expect them. It might be the single best album released by a NYC band in 2006.
There is every reason to like this album. The songs are memorable to the power of an exponent. Silverman's layers of minimalist electric and acoustic guitar are tasteful to a fault: the guy is a master of subtlety and texture.The vocals are laid-back and unaffected. You can understand the lyrics which, by the way, have a terrifically understated wit. The songs themselves are terse and crystallized, polished to a gorgeous shimmer. There's 11 of them on this cd and all are first-rate. There aren't many bands who can say that about what they've released this year. Fans of whip-smart rock from Crowded House, to the Auteurs, to, hell, the Beatles will not be disappointed.

This album ought to score big with the Guided by Voices crowd, who will go for the delicious guitar sonics and smart songwriting. All Champagne Francis needs is a song in a hit indie film and they'll be playing stadiums." -TRIFECTAgram

"Smart, tuneful, relatively straightforward power pop. They list their influences as Fountains of Wayne, Nada Surf, and Weezer, and for once the comparisons are pretty close to the mark. Marked by singer/writer Brian Silverman's affable singing voice and plenty of ornate guitar curlicues supplementing the band's sturdy melodies, songs from the slightly melancholy but insanely catchy "Old Vampires" to the stop/start bit on "Burned to the Ground" make for a breezy, state-of-the-pop artifact" www.popculturepress.com

"Champagne Francis has managed to provide a collection of five catchy songs to the listener. Brimming with home-recorded, acoustic pop, the "Waterskis" EP is a light, simple affair. Champagne Francis just may become a big name on the scene one day. The title track is undoubtedly the best piece here, taking a (slight) cue from the songwriting of Rob Pollard. Its infectious chorus is sure to get stuck in your brain for ages. The rest of the pieces all have their own qualities, as well, from the menacing, laidback glow of "New Waves" to the deceptively jolly melodies of "Very Aviary." - Indieville.com

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