Anamorphosée

Infobox Album
Name = Anamorphosée
Type = Album
Artist = Mylène Farmer


Background = Orange
Released = 1995
Recorded = Los Angeles
Genre = Rock
Length = 57:47
Label = Polydor
Producer = Laurent Boutonnat
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:axfpxqrhldde link]
Last album = "Dance Remixes"
(1992)
This album = "Anamorphosée"
(1995)
Next album = "Live à Bercy"
(1997)Singles
Name = Anamorphosée
Type = Studio album
single 1 = XXL
single 1 date = September 19, 1995
single 2 = L'Instant X
single 2 date = December 12, 1995
single 3 = California
single 3 date = March 26, 1996
single 4 = Comme j'ai mal
single 4 date = June 1, 1996
single 5 = Rêver
single 5 date = November 16, 1996

"Anamorphosée" is the fourth studio album by Mylène Farmer, released on October 17 1995. This album marked an important musical change in Farmer's career.

Background and writing

The movie "Giorgino", produced by Laurent Boutonnat and in which Mylène Farmer played an important role, was a both critically and financially failure. Released on October 5, 1994, it was seen by barely 25,000 spectators in the first week and was the first setback in Farmer's career. As a result, the musical duo separated on bad terms, Boutonnat making Farmer responsible for this failure. The singer decided to go to Los Angeles, California, ["France Soir", September 19, 1995, "Mylène Farmer, "Anamorphosée", Richard Gianorio [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1995/france_soir_190995.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 24, 2008)] where she fell into anonymity and changed hairstyle (she became blond with long hair). There she composed a new album, drawing inspiration in a )]

Jeff Dahlgren, who performed the role of Giorgio Volli in "Giorgino", had a great influence on the composition of this album and was part of the musical team involved in preparing it. The album was recorded in the A&M studios et Record One in Los Angeles, and Boutonnat, who oversaw the production, chose the best American musicians at the time. Bertrand Châtenet, who had previously worked with Vanessa Paradis, was instructed to mix the album."Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer", Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 59-61]

Lyrics and music

The album's title, "Anamorphosée" is a neologism in )]

This album marked an important change in the musical style of Farmer. Indeed, the sound is much more rock and offers seven dynamic songs in which Farmer's voice gives way to the riffs of electric guitars. However, five of the twelve tracks are ballads whose melancholic text is privileged compared to the music. Words are often easier to understand and are less poetic than her previous albums. Although some themes dear to the artist are addressed in "Anamorphosée", sadness and pain are much less present in this album which is more about the spirituality (Buddhism). The album cover, made in black and white by Herb Ritts, shows a very sexy Farmer, but whose face is not shown. The booklet contains photos in which Farmer is much more glamorous than before."Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer", Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 59-61] "L'Intégrale Mylene Farmer", Erwan Chuberre, 2007, City Ed., p. 37-38 (ISBN 978-2-35288-108-7)]

For the first time, Farmer wrote a song in full (text and music) : "Tomber 7 fois..."

Critical reception

The album was sometimes well-received in media that have mainly noted the change in musical style. For example : "Farmer has moved away from the images that she stuck to the skin just to keep a sensuality remained intact" ("Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace"). ["Dernière Nouvelles d'Alsace", May 29, 1995 [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1995/dernieres_nouvelles_d'alsace_(strasbourg)_124_29051995.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 24, )] "The production is, as always, impeccable" ("Platine"). ["Platine", December 1995]

However, some musical critics were very virulent to this album. For example, "Le Monde" stated that "the diversion of melodies from the band Nirvana makes hesitate between indignation and open laughs", ["Le Monde", October 21, 1995, S.D. [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1995/Le_Monde_211095.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 24, 2008)] while "L'Evènement du jeudi" concluded its article saying it should better "to avoid" this album.

A Victoire de la Musique was awarded to this album, which was regarded as the French album the most exported in 1996.

Chart performances

The album went straight to #2 on French Album Chart on October 15, 1995, behind Céline Dion's "D'eux". It stayed at this place on the following chart edition, before dropping. However, it re-reached the #2 in its 13th week and for four other non-consecutive weeks. Surprisingly, the album became number one for two weeks on January 18 and 25, 1997, about one year and a half after its release. It remained on the Top ten for 34 weeks and on the chart (Top 50) for a total of 77 weeks."Anamorphosée", French SNEP Albums Chart [http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Myl%E8ne+Farmer&titel=Anamorphos%E9e&cat=a Lescharts.com] (Retrieved February 1, 2008)] The album was also charted for four weeks on the Top Mid'Price, from March 20 to April 10, 2005 (with 5,499 copies sold), because it was re-released in a digipack version by Polydor. ["Anamorphosée" [http://www.mylene.net/mylene/d_anamorphosee.php Mylene.net] (Retrieved March 25, 2008)] Tha album was certified Double platinum disc by the SNEP in 1996.Mylène Farmer certifications [http://www.chartsinfrance.net/certifications/artiste-850.htm Chartsinfrance.net] (Retrieved February 1, 2008)]

In Belgium (Wallonia), the album was charted for 71 weeks, from November 4, 1995 to April 12, 1997. It peaked at number two in its three first weeks, but was unable to reach number one (the chart was topped then by Céline Dion's "D'eux") ; it appeared for 25 weeks in the top ten."Anamorphosée", Belgian (Wallonia) Albums Chart [http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Myl%E8ne+Farmer&titel=Anamorphos%E9e&cat=a Ultratop.be] (Retrieved February 1, 2008)]

In Switzerland, the album entered the chart at #25, its highest position, on November 12, 1995, before dropping. It left the chart after its sixth week."Anamorphosée", Swiss Albums Chart [http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Myl%E8ne+Farmer&titel=Anamorphos%E9e&cat=a Hitparade.ch] (Retrieved February 1, 2008)]

ingles

References