La Sécurité are a Montreal supergroup… kind of; in that all members are involved in other projects which have had local success. In the case of bassist Félix Bélisle’s outfit Choses Sauvages and guitarist Laurence-Anne Charest Gagné’s solo career, cult success has spread further afield. “Cult” is the word, though, for La Sécurité’s tasty punk-funk stew is more-ish but likely too gnarly for mainstream success. Their second album is a smash’n’grab raid rife with pogo-party energy.
At ten songs in around half an hour, it’s a set that makes its case with vim, then exits. The lyrics cover territory ranging from fast food to “the autonomization of women”, but I mainly understand this from the press notes; the listening experience is more viscerally sonic than word-led. Nonetheless, frontwoman Éliane Viens’s voice is a striking instrument, ranging from Cyndi Lauper-ish teen snark to deadpan to, especially on the French-sung numbers, whispery and sensual.
Leaning more to their noisy, punk, no wave side, but retaining enough of the funk aspect to be danceable, cuts such as “Power Snoozer”, “Snack City”, and “Ketchup” revel in their clanging, dissonant attack, but La Sécurité are also capable, almost despite themselves, of pop catchiness. Into the latter category falls the title track, with it’s great robot pop synth motif, redolent of Lene Lovich, and it’s bingo number lyrics. Also “Deny”, which suggests, in the most lively manner, what might have occurred if Franz Ferdinand had collaborated with Brit punk-funkers Sink Ya Teeth.
ESG and Snapped Ankles would be other reference points but the swampy, bluesey slowie “Princesse” showcases another side to the band, expanding to a slinkier groove. It might have been nice to hear a little more of this aspect but, as it is, Bingo! Has hit’n’run va-voom that appeals. My advice, though, would be to see them live, where their music comes into its own and takes the roof off.
Below: Watch the video for "Bingo!", the title track from the second album by La Sécurité
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