"Negatif" is one of those (very few) cd's that force you to sit down and just listen. Why so? It's certainly unusual to find another record with such a rich tapestry of sound (and such a wide range of influences, with Serge Gainsbourg at the top)without being pretentious. Every single string arrangement, electronic programming, I mean: every single note is where it is because that's where it belongs. This is lush pop-folk-orchestral-jazzy-country*ish* music. Call it whatever you like, what you can't miss - unless you're deaf - is the sense of perfection that lies in songs like "La Penombre du Pays-Bas", "Little Darling" and all the others. Remember David Sylvian's "Secrets of the Beehive"? It's the same kind of perfection I'm talking about - though not exactly the same kind of music.

I've been humming "Little Darling" since I bought the cd - and that was a few months ago. It's just the cherry on top of this masterpiece. Sounds exagerated? Just listen to it.

I found the cd's 'interesting'. He features such a wide eclectic mix of songs: folky, jazzy, swank, electronica. So points for that. It is very unique.

I did find it difficult to get into because of the language barrier though. Also some of the songs are downright sleep-inducing-slow (maybe that's what he's going for).

I would've liked to see this cut down to one tight compact single disc because there are some good cuts on there. It's just not as tremendous as I was expecting it to be.

Pick this one up if you're into odd, different, eclectic music or French music in general. Just don't pay full price!