If Sebastien Lefebvre's nasally voice sounds familiar, it's probably because when you were 13 you heard him in his other band, Simple Plan, where he's the back-up vocalist and rhythm guitar player. Of course, behind every cloying pop-punk act is a sensitive singer-songwriter just dying to play his acoustic guitar and croon heartfelt lyrics of his own. If it sounds clichéd it's because it is, and unfortunately, so is Lefebvre's debut EP,
You Are Here/Vous Etes Ici.
Though it's not the pop-punk he's known for, Lefebvre successfully caters to the same demographic. Fans of the deep, poignant and poetic lyrics of Simple Plan will probably identify with such gems as "Up and down the cobble roads in town, I walked alone/ Seeing your face from time to time, hurts to my bones," but it would be nice if Lefebvre chose lyrical subjects with some actual substance and forewent the obvious rhymes generally found in a grade nine English class.
The production sounds just as contrived as the lyrics. Lefebvre relies far too much on samples as a substitute for real instruments. The string parts in "I Fall For You" may not be spectacular or stand out to begin with, but they would be so much better if a real musician played them, not a computer. It's the over-production that takes any and all soul out of these songs. Pre-teen girls will eat this up, but everyone else should approach this album with caution.
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Alessandra Piazza
posted 12/08/09 @ 2:42 PM EST
I love Simple Plan, and also Sebastien Lefebvre. I'm very happy because he has a beautiful voice and we will hear it.
Pleaseput more information about his new cd. (Continued…)
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