Brigitte Fontaine

This self-titled LP from 1972 is a more successful and listenable bridge between her pop and experimental impulses than Je Ne Connais Pas Cet Homme. For one thing, Areski only co-wrote a couple of these tunes and is not often heard on vocals. More importantly, the content is less jarring and more appealing, though equally eclectic. "Brigitte" has the sort of jazz-pop-makeout music mix that will entice fans of Françoise Hardy's 1971 album La Question. "L'Auberge," by contrast, could pass muster on a classical LP, sounding like a pious church hymn. Most of the material falls between these two poles, including some spoken poetry and pieces on which Fontaine is backed by little more than African-sounding drums. It's worth checking out for fans of fractured '70s art-pop with progressive and jazz influences.