Des visages des figures
Noir Désir · 2001
68 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A blend of haunting melodies and raw energy, weaving poetic lyrics into a tapestry of alternative rock and punk influences.
Top tracks — play these first
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Le vent nous portera — This track stands out for its poignant lyrics and evocative melody, capturing a sense of hope amidst uncertainty. Its widespread acclaim helped it become a defining song of the early 2000s.
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L’Enfant roi — Opening the album with a powerful narrative, this track sets the tone with its blend of urgency and introspection while exploring themes of power and innocence.
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Des visages des figures — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of identity and society, merging intricate instrumentation with profound lyrical content that challenges listeners to reflect.
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L’Europe — Stretching over twenty-three minutes, this closing epic showcases the band's ambitious songwriting and shifts between various musical styles, making it a landmark piece within their discography.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic rock with introspective moments, showcasing strong writing and production.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements alongside traditional singing, creating a dynamic interplay between vocal styles.
- The album's title track features an extended instrumental section that builds tension before resolving into a climactic finale.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- gradual builds and payoffs
- atmospheric background focus
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 11, 2001, 'Des visages des figures' marked Noir Désir's fifth studio album. At this point in their career, the band was experiencing a peak in both critical acclaim and commercial success following their breakthrough album '666667 Club'. This release further solidified their status in the French rock scene, showcasing their evolution with more complex themes and arrangements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mano Negra· Les Rita Mitsouko· Trust
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 L’Enfant roi 6:03
- 2 Le Grand Incendie 4:36
- 3 Le vent nous portera 4:48
- 4 Des armes 2:48
- 5 L’Appartement 4:11
- 6 Des visages des figures 5:14
- 7 Son style 1 2:06
- 8 Son style 2 2:31
- 9 À l’envers à l’endroit 4:07
- 10 Lost 3:23
- 11 Bouquet de nerfs 5:13
- 12 L’Europe 23:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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