Carla sings of love and drugs
2008-06-11 21:24
Paris - France's first lady Carla
Bruni-Sarkozy sings of 30 lovers and hard drugs on a new album
that she insists was not inspired by her whirlwind romance and
marriage to President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Top French newspaper Le Figaro said the distinctive melodies
and bold lyrics on Bruni's Comme si de rien n'etait (As if
nothing had happened) album were a new departure from plain folk
and make the former model's first album since she wed Sarkozy a
musical success.
Le Figaro critic Bertrand Dicale said in his review that the
album - which is due out on July 21 - shows Bruni coming of
age as a songstress and embracing more recognisably French
styles and the flamboyance of the 1960s.
"I am a child despite my 40 years and 30 lovers," Bruni
sings in the song Une Enfant (A Child), according to Dicale
who said it was one of the best on the album.
You are my Drug
In another song entitled You are my Drug, Bruni sings:
"You are my drug. More lethal than heroine from Afghanistan and
more dangerous than Colombian cocaine."
It is Bruni's third album since turning from top model to
professional musician, and her first since she married Sarkozy
in February.
Bruni has repeatedly said she wrote the songs before meeting
Sarkozy, so listeners should not look to the lyrics for clues
about her feelings for the French president.
The recently divorced Sarkozy, 53, and Bruni, 40, began
dating in November, revealed their relationship in December in a
worldwide blaze of publicity, and tied the knot on February 2.
'Less America, more France and more Beatles'
The album showcases her fragile yet intense voice and unique
melodic style, Dicale wrote in a review flagged on the front
page of Le Figaro, a newspaper usually focused on politics and
economics.
"In short: less America, more France and more Beatles," he
wrote of the contents of the album.
While acknowledging that interest in the album is acute due
to Bruni's romance with Sarkozy, Dicale lauded it as a "perfect
success" in terms of music.