There are many beautiful things in this Laval Rhapsody, concept album where Luc De Larochellière returns to the places of his childhood: melodies that stay in mind, careful arrangements, phrases behind which we feel the comforts and discomforts of nostalgia. Who also speak of tragedies, but with a content sense of the drama, as if the evil was not at home in the suburbs.
It is in these moments when the flaws appear (The child in the swimming pool, The girl in a black chariot) that Luc De Larochellière’s project turns out to be the most revealing and the most touching. He no longer denounces in a loud voice like when he was 20 years old, but his gaze on the world remains sensitive and penetrating.
On the other hand, we must admit that all songs are not so universal. By telling himself thus, Luc De Larochellière opens his private diary in a certain way. He is not sure that his experiences as a little guy on his banana seat bike or playing GI Joe will resonate with everyone.
We think here and there of Michel Rivard while listening Laval Rhapsody. A little because he also walked backwards in his own footsteps with The origin of my species, but also because he sang with finesse life under the ordinary image of the suburbs. Luc De Larochellière does it too, with great acuity at times, but often also in a more anecdotal than poetic way.
Pop / song
Laval Rhapsody
Luc De Larochellière
Shoemaking discs