L'Autrichienne
Encyclopedia
L'Autrichienne is the fourth album by the American metal band Jucifer
. It was first released on March 18, 2008.
; on March 18 in the United States and on March 24 internationally.
To support the album, Jucifer embarked on their first tour through Europe. After the European tour they toured over the Northeastern United States
and Canada.
to sludge metal
. In the album there are songs with a style close to Black Sabbath
's, such as "Blackpowder", hardcore punk
tracks like "Thermidor", Melvins-esque metal
slow pieces such as "Deficit", and doom metal
songs such as "The Mountain" and "Procession a la Guillotine"; even quiet baladry can be found in the album. Amber Valetine uses many vocal techniques in the record.
It's a concept album
about Marie Antoinette
, who was nicknamed "l'Autrichienne" (French: the Austrian [woman]) due to her Austrian origin and connections. Valentine chose the subject after finding a book on the French Revolution
in an RV park
lending library
. The album's liner notes
feature a historical commentary to each song.
. Both praised the musical variety which can be appreciated in the album.
Amber Valentine's work as a singer in this album has been compared to young PJ Harvey
's as well as Courtney Love
's. Her ability to shift from one vocal technique to another has been praised specially by Greg Prato from Allmusic, who asserts only very talented vocalists are able to do what she does.
Jucifer
Jucifer is a two piece sludge metal band signed to Relapse Records. The band's members include Gazelle Amber Valentine on lead guitar and vocals, and her husband Edgar Livengood on drums. They travel in an RV and are "nomadic in nature", preferring to tour constantly, living in their tour vehicle,...
. It was first released on March 18, 2008.
History
L' Autrichienne, which is Jucifer's fourth album, was recorded in July 2007 at Bakery Studios by Andy Baker. It was released in 2008, two years after the release of the band's previous album, If Thine Enemy Hunger, by Relapse RecordsRelapse Records
Relapse Records is an independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990.-History:The label was started by Matthew F. Jacobson in August, 1990 in his parents' basement in Aurora, Colorado...
; on March 18 in the United States and on March 24 internationally.
To support the album, Jucifer embarked on their first tour through Europe. After the European tour they toured over the Northeastern United States
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
and Canada.
Music
According to Greg Prato from Allmusic, there are so many different styles found in L'Autrichienne that it would be possible to fool the average listener into thinking each track was made by a different band; it shows influences ranging from indie rockIndie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
to sludge metal
Sludge metal
Sludge metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that melds elements of doom metal and hardcore punk, and sometimes incorporates influences from southern rock, stoner rock and grunge. Sludge metal is typically abrasive; often featuring shouted vocals, heavily distorted instruments and sharply contrasting...
. In the album there are songs with a style close to Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
's, such as "Blackpowder", hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
tracks like "Thermidor", Melvins-esque metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
slow pieces such as "Deficit", and doom metal
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
songs such as "The Mountain" and "Procession a la Guillotine"; even quiet baladry can be found in the album. Amber Valetine uses many vocal techniques in the record.
It's a concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
about Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette ; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was an Archduchess of Austria and the Queen of France and of Navarre. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I....
, who was nicknamed "l'Autrichienne" (French: the Austrian [woman]) due to her Austrian origin and connections. Valentine chose the subject after finding a book on the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
in an RV park
RV park
A recreational vehicle park or caravan park is a place where people with recreational vehicles can stay overnight, or longer, in alloted spaces known as "pitches"...
lending library
Lending library
A lending library is a library from which books are lent out. The earliest reference to or use of the term "lending library" yet located in English correspondence dates from ca. 1586; C'Tess Pembroke Ps. CXII. v, "He is .....
. The album's liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
feature a historical commentary to each song.
Critical reception
L' Autrichienne was given a 4.5 out of 5 in Allmusic and a 8.0 of 10 in Pitchfork MediaPitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
. Both praised the musical variety which can be appreciated in the album.
Amber Valentine's work as a singer in this album has been compared to young PJ Harvey
PJ Harvey
Polly Jean Harvey is an English musician, singer-songwriter, composer and occasional artist. Primarily known as a vocalist and guitarist, she is also proficient with a wide range of instruments including piano, organ, bass, saxophone, and most recently, the autoharp.Harvey began her career in...
's as well as Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
's. Her ability to shift from one vocal technique to another has been praised specially by Greg Prato from Allmusic, who asserts only very talented vocalists are able to do what she does.
Track listing
Music by Jucifer. Lyrics written by Amber Valentine.Personnel
- Amber Valentine – Vocals, Electric, piano
- Edgar Livengood – Bass, drums
- Andy Baker – EngineeringAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- Scott Hull – MasteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
- Orion Landau – Artwork
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Relapse Records Relapse Records Relapse Records is an independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990.-History:The label was started by Matthew F. Jacobson in August, 1990 in his parents' basement in Aurora, Colorado... |
CD | 67312 | |
| 766731 | ||||
| Alternative Tentacles Alternative Tentacles Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent... |
LP LP album The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry... |
386 | ||
| Worldwide |