3 out of 5

Label: La République Des Granges

Produced by: Manuel Duval (recorded by, mixed by)

Having recently fallen for Rien Virgule’s operatic noise – a chorus of Anne Careil’s shrieking vocals; swells of reverbed keys; post-rock pummeling drumming – I’ve wondered what they might be like live. Not necessarily because I’m a live music fan (I’m not), but more because I truly had trouble imagining it: it’s a very organic sound, but also one that feels claustrophic; requiring tight closet spaces with lights out and everyone hunched over microphones and / or their particular instrument.

Concert Au Goutailloux clarifies that, not only does this music translate effectively live, but that it’s also adaptable: the open air and crowd makes the overwhelming hypnotic crunch of the group become slower, and a bit simpler, pared down to clear synth lines and rhythms that are sometimes masked ‘neath studio noise. Careil sings outward, and not into my imagined closet space; it’s a more direct version of the band, that still maintains kind of their particular blend of Siouxie gothicness, Disappears minimalism, and brutal noise.

This set captures six tracks from La Consolation Des Violettes, rendered as mentioned: a bit more accessibly, and slowed to waltzes versus the studio version’s aggressive sway. While we do get one new interstitial, which is pretty much the dumping ground for all the static and effects that’s somewhat stripped away from the tracks, the music doesn’t offer any groundbreaking changes from the album takes, besides the overall shifts mentioned. While that is an interesting discovery of Rien’s live sound, I’d have trouble making the claim that these shifts enhance the songs, alongside typical live production which ultimately flattens out highs and lows.

But: it’s a good, tight set, and confirms that this would be a worthwhile show to see, should they ever pass through my US burgh…