''L'Autrichienne'' is the fourth album by the American

metal A metal (from Greek μέταλλον ''métallon'', "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typicall ...

band

Jucifer Jucifer are a two piece American sludge metal band whose albums have been released by Alternative Tentacles, Capricorn Records, and Relapse Records along with their own imprint Nomadic Fortress Records. The band's members are Gazelle Amber Valent ...

. It was first released on March 18, 2008.

History

''L' Autrichienne'', which is Jucifer's fourth album, was recorded in July 2007 at Bakery Studios by Andy Baker. It was released in 2008, two years after the release of the band's previous album, ''If Thine Enemy Hunger'', by

Relapse Records Relapse Records is an American independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990. The label features many grindcore, death metal, metalcore and sludge metal artists. History The label was ...

; on March 18 in

the United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

and on March 24 internationally. To support the album, Jucifer embarked on their first tour through Europe. After the European tour they toured over the

Northeastern United States The Northeastern United States, also referred to as the Northeast, the East Coast, or the American Northeast, is a geographic region of the United States. It is located on the Atlantic coast of North America, with Canada to its north, the Southe ...

and Canada.

Music

According to Greg Prato from

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

, there are so many different styles found in ''L'Autrichienne'' that it would be possible to fool the average listener into thinking each track was made by a different band; it shows influences ranging from

indie rock Indie rock is a Music subgenre, subgenre of rock music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand from the 1970s to the 1980s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the mu ...

sludge metal Sludge metal (also known as sludge or sludge doom) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that originated through combining elements of doom metal and hardcore punk. It is typically harsh and abrasive, often featuring shouted vocals, heavi ...

. In the album there are songs with a style close to

Black Sabbath Black Sabbath were an English rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy met ...

's, such as "Blackpowder",

hardcore punk Hardcore punk (also known as simply hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier punk ...

tracks like "Thermidor",

Melvins Melvins (sometimes The Melvins) are an American rock band formed in 1983 in Montesano, Washington. Their early work was key to the development of both grunge and sludge metal. Initially, they performed as a trio but later also sometimes appeare ...

-esque

slow pieces such as "Deficit", and

doom metal Doom metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other heavy metal genres.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' ...

songs such as "The Mountain" and "Procession a la Guillotine"; even quiet balladry can be found in the album. Amber Valentine uses many vocal techniques in the record. It's a

concept album A concept album is an album whose tracks hold a larger purpose or meaning collectively than they do individually. This is typically achieved through a single central narrative or theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, or lyrical. Som ...

about the French Revolution. Although the album includes songs about many events of the period, and its lyrics reflect voices of major figures ranging from the peasantry to the deposed King and Queen and their court, the title refers to

Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette Josèphe Jeanne (; ; née Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was the last queen of France before the French Revolution. She was born an archduchess of Austria, and was the penultimate child a ...

, who was nicknamed "l'Autrichienne" (French: ''the Austrian'') due to her Austrian origin. The name seems on its surface merely descriptive, but in context of the Revolution was used derisively, as it is a homonym of "l'autre chienne" the other bitch" The band chose this title for its historical relevance and double entendre meaning. Guitarist/vocalist Valentine had been intrigued with this period of history, and Marie Antoinette's poor treatment by peers and historians, since receiving a historical paper doll book including Antoinette at the age of six. During the intervening 30 years, Valentine read voraciously about the time period and was inspired to write most of the double album's worth of songs (the remainder written by drummer and co-founding member Edgar Livengood). The album's

liner notes Liner notes (also sleeve notes or album notes) are the writings found on the sleeves of LP record albums and in booklets that come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for cassettes. Origin Liner notes are desce ...

feature a historical commentary to each song, written by Valentine and based on her lifelong research about the French Revolution.

Critical reception

''L' Autrichienne'' was given a 4.5 out of 5 in AllMusic and an 8.0 of 10 in

Pitchfork Media ''Pitchfork'' (formerly ''Pitchfork Media'') is an American online music publication (currently owned by Condé Nast) that was launched in 1995 by writer Ryan Schreiber as an independent music blog. Schreiber started Pitchfork while working ...

. Both praised the musical variety which can be appreciated in the album. Gazelle Amber Valentine's work as a singer in this album has been compared to young

PJ Harvey Polly Jean Harvey (born 9 October 1969) is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. Primarily known as a vocalist and guitarist, she is also proficient with a wide range of instruments. Harvey began her career in 1988 when she joined loca ...

's as well as

Courtney Love Courtney Michelle Love (née Harrison; born July 9, 1964) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, and actress. A figure in the alternative and grunge scenes of the 1990s, her career has spanned four decades. She rose to prominence as t ...

's. Her ability to shift from one vocal technique to another has been praised specially by Greg Prato from Allmusic, who asserts only very talented vocalists are able to do what she does.

Track listing

Music by Jucifer. Lyrics written by Amber Valentine.

Personnel

* Gazelle Amber Valentine – Guitars, Vocals, Banjo, Cello, Violin, Mellotron * Edgar Livengood – Drums, Timpani, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano * Andy Baker –

Engineering Engineering is the use of scientific method, scientific principles to design and build machines, structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad rang ...

* Scott Hull – Mastering * Orion Landau – Artwork

Release history

References

External links

Metal Riot interview with Jucifer
{{DEFAULTSORT:Autrichienne 2008 albums Jucifer albums Relapse Records albums Works about Marie Antoinette