"While English Canadians might think Québecois music is from a different planet, it's really just from a different neighborhood."

The French music scene in Québec – especially in Montreal – is not just the ballade-chanson of old fogies like Charles Aznavour. The major musical influences of modern Québecois musicians are not so different from what influences the rest of us. But French music is more than just rock'n'roll in a language you don’t understand. Like any cross-cultural product, grows from a unique blend of styles. So while English Canadians might think Québecois music is from a different planet, it’s really just from a different neighborhood. And though the language barrier might put you off giving French music a shot, opening up a new world of excellent music is well worth the effort.

So, if all this has you feeling adventurous, then it’s time to explore Frenchtown. A good place to start is with Montreal-based rock group Karkwa (roll that ‘r’ and say it with me: karrr-kwa). These self-proclaimed melodic rockers are well trained and well educated, and have a fresh-yet-familiar sound that all rock groups strive for. Most importantly, they take pride in writing great songs and their most recent album, Les tremblements s’immobilisent, is hard proof.

Jam-packed with all the vocal and melodic hooks of a hit record, Les tremblements s’immobilisent is an exceptionally well-crafted collection of tunes. The record opens with the driving staccato piano chords and vocals of La fuite, but it’s not until the half-time drums and guitar hook enter that this tune hits you. Singer/guitarist Louis-Jean Cormier spits his lyrics in quick rap-like rhythms until the powerful choruses, where he lets the overdriven guitar hook and high-pitched keys do the talking.

While La fuite is a powerful opening track, it’s the record’s second tune, M’empêcher de sortir, that really showcases what Karkwa can do. The tune opens with a subtle, melodic hook on guitar and keyboard underneath a calm vocal melody, completed by a simple drum beat after a few lines. The energy picks up in the chorus as the drums switch to military-esque snare rolls and the vocals move up the register, and sparse electronic percussion enters in the background. This tune is interesting and catchy from the start, a combination that Karkwa has mastered.

The record continues to change styles, from the Pink Floyd inspired La marche and the acoustic L’épaule froide to the painfully catchy Vertige and the album’s hard-rocking hit single Le coup d’état. Throughout, Karkwa works hard to ensure there isn’t a single slow moment, keeping psychedelic jams interesting while still making room for hypnotic solos from Cormier and keyboardist François Lafontaine.

If you’re still reading, you’re at least open minded enough to check out the group’s website (www.karkwa.com) and listen to some sound clips. If you like what you hear, look for more French album reviews on this site in the future and nag your local music store to bulk up its Francophone section.

By Jake Shenker