''The No Comprendo'' (Long title: ''Les Rita Mitsouko Présentent The No Comprendo'') is the second studio album by
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
pop rock group
Les Rita Mitsouko. It was released in 1986 and includes the singles "
Andy", "C'est Comme Ça" and "Les Histoires d’A.".
The album was recorded with veteran producer
Tony Visconti at Studio Good Earth, London, Studio Rita Mitsouko, Paris and mixed at Studio Good Earth. Receiving positive reviews the album was originally released as an LP, Cassette and CD in September 1986. CD editions include a bonus track. The artwork was designed by Yves Méry with photography by Brett Walker.
The album was the first of two albums by the duo that
Les Rita Mitsouko produced on collaboration with
Tony Visconti. Together with Visconti the trio shared production and musician roles regularly swapping and sharing duties across a variety of instruments.
Prior to the album the group was simply called Rita Mitsouko. In the interim between the début and 1986's ''The No Comprendo'',
Catherine Ringer
Catherine Ringer (, born 18 October 1957 in Suresnes, France) is a French singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, dancer, choreographer, actress, and co-founder of the pop rock group Les Rita Mitsouko. She is also the daughter of ...
and
Fred Chichin amended their name adding 'Les' to 'Rita Mitsouko'. The decision was made to negate the possibility that audiences would identify the name as referring to Catherine Ringer only as opposed to a musical group.
[www.ritamitsouko.org/TheNoComprendoUK](_blank)
Catherine and Fred decide to add 'LES' to 'RITA MITSOUKO' at this point to avoid mistakenly identifying the band only as Catherine's.
Singles
"
Andy" was released as the lead single preceding the album. It was backed with the band's preferred single choice "Un Soir un Chien". Twelve inch versions included "Bad Days" as a second b-side. US twelve inch versions included remixes by
Jesse Johnson. The single peaked at #19 on the
French Singles Chart and #11 on the US
Hot Dance Club Play chart.
"C'est Comme Ça" was released as the second single backed with the new b-side "Clown de Mes Malheurs". The single peaked at #10 on the French Singles chart
becoming the group's second and final top ten hit. The music video directed by
Jean-Baptiste Mondino was awarded "Music video of the year" by the annual French award ceremony
Victoires de la Musique in 1987.
"Les Histoires d'a." was released as the third and final single backed with the ''
Rita Mitsouko'' album track "Amnésie". It did not chart.
Reception
''The No Comprendo'' received positive reviews from the majority of critics.
Victoires de la Musique awarded ''The No Comprendo'' "Album of the year" in 1987.
The French edition of ''
Rolling Stone'' magazine named the album the 7th greatest French rock album (out of 100).
[Magazine ''Rolling Stone'', n°18 February 2010, ]
Track listing
Personnel
; Musicians
*
Fred Chichin - Keyboards, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
*
Catherine Ringer
Catherine Ringer (, born 18 October 1957 in Suresnes, France) is a French singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, dancer, choreographer, actress, and co-founder of the pop rock group Les Rita Mitsouko. She is also the daughter of ...
- Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, Midi Brass, Bass, Strings, Drums, Midi Trumpet, Midi Accordion, Piano, Violin, Cello, Congas
*
Tony Visconti - Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Double Bass, Tambourine, Midi Guitar, Drums, Violin, Cello
* Graham Ward - Drums on "Les Histoires d'a."
*
Bobby Valentino - Violin on "Les Histoires d'a." and "Tonite"
* Sam Smith - Guitar Solo on "C'est Comme Ça"
*
Luís Jardim - Percussion on "Nuit d'ivresse"
* Andy Mackintosh - Saxophone on "Nuit d'ivresse"
* Pete Beachill - Trombone on "Nuit d'ivresse"
*
Guy Barker - Trumpet on "Nuit d'ivresse"
; Technical and visual
* Catherine Ringer, Fred Chichin, Tony Visconti - Producer
* Dominique, Fred Chichin, Sid Wells - Engineering
* Sam Smith - Assistant Engineer
* Catherine Ringer, Fred Chichin, Sid Wells, Tony Visconti - Mixing
* Brett Walker - Photography
* Yves Méry - Graphics
External links
''The No Comprendo'' release history
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:No Comprendo, The
1986 albums
Albums produced by Tony Visconti
Virgin Records albums
Les Rita Mitsouko albums