Précis (album)

Infobox Album
Name = Précis
Type = Album
Artist = Benoit Pioulard


Released = October 16, 2006
Recorded = 2005-2006
Genre = Electronic
Ambient
Folk
Shoegazing
Length = 37:02
Label = Kranky
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:yef8zff5ehak link]
*Stylus Magazine (A) [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/benot-pioulard/prcis.htm link]
*Cokemachineglow 75% [http://www.cokemachineglow.com/reviews/benoitpioulard_precis2006.html link]
*Almost Cool Rating-10|8 [http://www.almostcool.org/mr/1848/ link]
*LAS Magazine Rating-10|9 [http://www.lostatsea.net/review.phtml?id=1580179689456f2b86ec65d link]
Last album = "Dakota / Housecoat" (2006)
This album = "Précis" (2006)

"Précis" is the debut full-length album by Michigan-based musician Benoit Pioulard, released by Kranky on October 16, 2006.

Background

Before the release of this album, Pioulard (born Thomas Meluch) already had a fairly substantial discography. This included many self-released albums on CD-R and cassette, as well as the 7" EP "Enge", which was put out by Moodgadget in 2005. He later signed a deal with Chicago label Kranky, from which this album was released.

Hand-made version

An elaborate handmade version of this album was released through his Myspace profile in September 2006.

Limited to only 25 copies, this edition had exclusive content not available on the standard release and due to high demand sold out rapidly.

Critical Reaction

"Précis" was generally very well-received by critics. Stylus Magazine was one of the first publications to review the album, remarking:

Allmusic, who named Pioulard a "Hot Artist" in December 2006, were also impressed with the album, saying:

For other reviews of this album, see external links.

Track listing

# La Guerre de Sept Ans – 3:08
# Together & Down – 3:07
# Ext. Leslie Park – 2:42
# Triggering Back – 2:30
# Moth Wings – 1:16
# Alan & Dawn – 2:50
# Corpus Chant – 1:43
# Palimend – 3:04
# Coup de Foudre – 1:31
# Hirondelle – 2:22
# Needle & Thread – 2:42
# R Coloring – 0:39
# Sous la Plage – 2:59
# Patter – 2:58
# Ash into the Sky – 3:18

Credits

Music videos

On December 6, 2006 a video for Triggering Back was released. It was directed by Adam Hunt and was posted on both Pioulard's Myspace profile and his official website.

Themes in the video generally revolve around photography and nature. It shows Pioulard travelling around various locations and taking Polaroid photographs of his surroundings, which then fall to the ground. Featuring a mixture of close-up shots and distant views, it is a hazy, almost dreamlike video that seems to fit with the style of the song and its ephemeric lyrical focus.

[http://pioulard.com/video/triggering.mov View the video in QuickTime format here]

External links

* [http://www.pioulard.com/love-precis.htm Various reviews of the album]