Histoire de Melody Nelson
by Serge Gainsbourg
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 71 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 71
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 71
  3. Negative: 10 out of 71

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  1. Andremax
    Mar 11, 2019
    10
    Serge Gainsbourg, getting borrowed elements of Bowie and Velvet Underground predicted punk from France But although irreverence, Histoire de Melody Nelson can be orchestral and exquisite.
  2. jps4
    Dec 7, 2015
    10
    this album is a masterpiece, especially the song CARGO CULTE in which the guitar is like a divagation arround the bass line, and the end with the backing vocals is awesome
  3. DanD
    May 26, 2009
    10
    A perfect mix of music, texture and mood. The music perfectly reflects the mood and the evocative meaning of the text, also perfect. Very much appreciated if you can understand the french subtelties, nothing's lost in the translation.
  4. ClifCarneiro
    May 24, 2009
    10
    Gainsbourg was and will always be seen as a creative and uber-talented guy. This concept album is pure genius! As PopMatters said, there are sounds that were used 20 years later, in a music style called Trip-Hop, which has been my favourite music style since 4 or 5 years (even if there aren't a lot of genius artists in this style: Björk, Portishead, Massive Attack, Emilie Simon, Gainsbourg was and will always be seen as a creative and uber-talented guy. This concept album is pure genius! As PopMatters said, there are sounds that were used 20 years later, in a music style called Trip-Hop, which has been my favourite music style since 4 or 5 years (even if there aren't a lot of genius artists in this style: Björk, Portishead, Massive Attack, Emilie Simon, Gorillaz, Goldfrapp, Air, ... are one of them, of course).… Collapse
  5. AGuy
    May 5, 2009
    10
    Great string arrangements, amazing musicianship, and a unique concept. Gainsbourg entrances even those foreign to the language and creates France's masterpiece of the 20th century through kinky themes and a stalker's dispair. The length of the album is bittersweet - but just makes the whole album worth listening to several times. A cult classic in its own right.
  6. jyotirmayadas
    May 5, 2009
    9
    It is really cool how an album like this - from forty years ago and in French - can grow on you. At first, it is so much hodge-podge, and then after reading more reviews and multiple listens, I "got" it. I am eager to read the lengthy booklet - w/interview Gainsbourg - and I am sure I will become further enthralled by this artist and his work.
  7. JimmyJim
    May 3, 2009
    10
    Few albums are as flawless as this one. When you listen to Cargo Culte, you just can't believe it was recorded in 1971! Many recent releases sound so dated compared to it. More important, the lyrics are true poetry.
  8. JamesM
    Apr 28, 2009
    10
    This is a monster.
  9. AUser
    Apr 28, 2009
    9
    A truly innovative album even by today's standards.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Blender
    80
    Lush and languorous, velvet-robe decadent and soft-focus steamy, Histoire is a make-out record and a gross-out record.
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  2. Paste Magazine
    91
    Andy Votel’s encyclopedic liner notes and a Gainsbourg interview make this version the definitive reissue for the as-yet unsullied.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    100
    This reissue on luxuriously hefty vinyl is the first time the album's been released in the U.S.--a superb opportunity to hear a record that's been occasionally imitated but never matched.
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