Artist: White Town
Album: Alain Delon 7"
Release: 1991
Label: Parasol
Tracklist:
1. Hair Like Alain Delon
2. And Then It Changed
3. John Selwyn Gummer
4. Life's Too Short
Depending on whether or not you're a master of either the U.S. or U.K. version of 90's Trivial Pursuit, you may recognize the name White Town. His fluke, 1997 smash hit "Your Woman" was as infectious to the psuedo-alt kids of the post-grunge era as Ebola Richmond was to lab monkeys...aaaaaand that's the best I can do. Iffy.
White Town is not actually the creepy Frenchman from the video above, but is instead an India-to-U.K. Gummi Bear who goes by the name Jyoti Mishra, who is apparently straight edge and, at least in the 90's, a communist. I guess there were red edgemen other than the Manliftingbanner/Seein' Red crew!
90's hardcore aside, I recently re-listened to the legendary spinART compilation ...One Last Kiss in an attempt to actually appreciate it as much as I should. I didn't get very far, though, because I couldn't get past the sixth track, White Town's "Hair Like Alain Delon." I knew who White Town was from "Your Woman," so I left utterly confused by the sound of "Alain Delon," which was part of the classic early 90's indie pop sound and not technopop. A quick Wikipedia search revealed it was indeed the same band. Holy moly!
The only thing that blew my mind more than that revelation was the song itself. It's seriously a pop classic and has been my favorite song for the past six months, at least. In the song, Mishra reveals his wishes to be more like the otherworldly French actor in an attempt to escape this humdrum existence and to overcome his romantic shortcomings. My description fails to come close to giving it justice.
The Alain Delon EP was released on the familiar label Parasol Records and features four songs in the indie pop vein. Aside from "Alain Delon," the other three songs are strong pop offerings and it's great to hear Mishra's songs played with a full band. "Life's Too Short" is probably my other favorite jam on this EP. Really, though, this is an incredible pop gem that, for some reason, has flown way under the radar. Please do yourself a favor and check this out!
Thanks to Pat Stankard of Weed Hounds for ripping this for me! If and when I get more of his early material and, if anyone cares, I'll post more.
http://www.whitetown.co.uk/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVL-zZnD3VU
http://www.nessworthy.co.uk/Alain%20Delon.jpg
http://www.mediafire.com/?lmnrzcmmimw
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