Ile De Garde

***Ile de Garde isn't just a clever pun paying homage to the blessed German mystic and jack-of-all-trades, Hildegarde Von Bingen It's the name chosen by three women freshly signed to Born Bad / Carpaccio Cathédrale, who came bearing gifts: six synth-wave tracks based on a drum/keyboard/spoken word line-up. It won't be for everyone, and that's just as well. More of a narrator than a singer, Klara Coudrais performs the lyrics, embodies characters, and puts on a show, in French and in English. Controlled and clinical anger, putting facts in order, whether it's settling scores with some violent bloke or scrutinize a couple on the path to a breakup—Sylvia Plath meets Diamanda Galás, heckling the audience gently. It sometimes flirts with singing, with reinforcement coming up as backing vocals. Neither John nor Karen Carpenter, Cécile Aurégan layers synths to produce dense, enveloping soundscapes. It's a full starter-main-dessert, but the trio has a strong stomach. Morgane Poulain peacefully taps away at her drums. Track after track, no-frills post-post punk for your ears, with a few surprises. Ile de Garde takes the floor, body-wise. Rage Blossom is a beginning, and you have to be there.