Welcome to my French pop and rock section... Here are a few recommendations to albums I've enjoyed that I think you might like as well, ranging from 1960s ye-ye to a few more contemporary albums from France's blossoming indie and electronica scenes. There is also a separate section for older musical styles, such as chanson and musette, if you like the old stuff, too!
Eiffel "Abricotine" (Virgin-France, 2001)
Pretty cool. Eiffel are a rock band that the French press compares to the Pixies, and the comparison stands up, with plenty of odd, angular hard edges and wide stylistic variety. This early album is more far-ranging and experimental than later albums, which seem tempered by the demands of the rock'n'roll fame industry. This is more challenging, more satisfying, and more interesting. Definitely worth checking out.
Eiffel "Le 1/4 D'Heure Des Ahuris " (Virgin-France, 2002)
Noisome, impassioned, brainy-political alt-punk. Not entirely my cup of tea (a bit too modern and corporate) although I could see the appeal to fans of contemporary hard-alt rock. A few songs, like the title track, have a softer side that's kind of intriguing. Singer Romain Humeau also has recorded some solo work as well...
Eiffel "Les Yeux Fermes" (EMI-France, 2004)
A 2-CD live album. Kinda headbang-y and gallumphingly unsubtle, although I'm sure that for many that would be the main appeal.
Eiffel "Live Aux Eurockeennes De Belfort: 06/07/2003" (DVD) (EMI-France, 2004)
A concert video.
Eiffel "Tandoori" (Labels/Virgin-France, 2006)
Another grinding, mannered, repetitive and overproduced corporate rock set. Doesn't do much for me.
Les Enfants Terribles "C'Est La Vie" (Magic, 2006)
Kooky group vocals from the 1960s -- French chanson intersecting with the pop-inflected folk-vocals of American groups such as We Five or the Mamas & Papas. The groovy B&W artwork made me thing this would be some sort of tweaky prog-rock extravaganza or chamber-folk experimentalism, but -- although this has its weird aspects -- it's much tamer terrain than that. Kind of irritating, though, for those of you who are into the whole "difficult listening" thing... Less cool than it looks.
Eux Autres "Hell Is Eux Autres" (Bon Mots, 2004)
Bilingual (French and English) indiepop... Although they aren't actually French, or Belgian, or French Canadian, this Portland, Oregon brother-sister duo does dabble in Frenchie pop with a nice, light, jangly touch... Most of their stuff is in English, but here's a quick list of all their French-language songs, off all three albums:
Eux Autres "Cold City" (Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records, 2008)
Eux Autres "Broken Bow" (Bon Mots, 2010)
French Music Index
French Chanson & Musette
