Genre/Influences: New-wave, funky-wave.

Content: Begin Says… is a French combo that was active in between 1983 and 1991. The story behind this band reminds me of pure underground and the 80s spirit where it was not that easy to find a record deal when composing ‘alternative’ music. Begin Says… didn’t leave us a real noticeable sound legacy, but most of the members remained active in music- and artistic businesses.

Their first album “Under The Palm Trees” was originally released in 1989 and is featured on the 1st disc. The work sounds pretty artistic and not exactly into the typical, dark new-wave spirit. It’s more a kind of sound bridge between new-wave elements and other influences like pop and funk. They sometimes remind me of one of Belgian glorious 80s bands Lavvi Ebbel. The funky touch makes the songs more accessible while instruments like clarinet and violin add a real artistic touch on top of the electronics and new-wave passages.

I enjoy songs like “The Begin”, “Lenine Said”, “Sado’s Way Of Life” and “Incarnazionne”. It sometimes a bit into experimentalism, but that was still a part of the 80s charm. It simply brings real good souvenirs to mind.

You can easily hear that Begin Says… took care to compose a meaningful and artistic work. It also comes through on the 6 extra songs featured, which were originally composed in 1988. I’m not as convinced by this so-called “Essai”, but you’ll find back the true spirit of the band.

The 2nd disc is for sure an interesting release for the (few?) fans of this band as it reveals songs from “The Lost Album”. These songs were originally recorded in 1990-1991. Nevertheless this music belongs to another decade you’ll easily recognize the classical 80s sound. Some of the cuts are more into melancholia, but you also will discover somewhat ‘film’-inspired compositions. That’s not really of a coincidence as some of the members were involved in the writing of music for films. “Verfolgung” is an interesting track in the genre.

The 2nd disc is more diversified although not always convincing. It sometimes seems more like a way to exorcise musical ideas and demons (?) rather than a well-thought and considered production.
Last, but not least you also get the maybe already familiar clip of “Sado’s Way Of Life”, which has been produced in black & white and that will definitely bring the 80s into mind.

Conclusion: I can’t say that Begin Says… is the most accessible band released by Infrastition, but they simply belong to the less familiar list of 80s bands dealing with new-wave and related genres.

Best songs: “AMD”, “The Begin, “Sado’s Way Of Life”, “Incarnazionne”, “Verfolgung”, “Frankie – Extended Version”.

Rate: (Elise Din:6)Elise Din.

Band: www.facebook.com/groups/930540817009237

Label: www.infrastition.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Infrastition/150742551617246