This is another classic album from Serge from around the time when he was really doing his best and most challenging work. However, I would definitely not recommend this as a starting point to get into Serge's work since it is probably his most difficult album and is less immediately satisfying than many of his other albums. Melody Nelson is still the best place to start if you are curious about Serge because it is simultaneously his best and most accessible album. If you have heard some of his other stuff though, you are more likely to 'get' this album and not dismiss it after a couple of listens. Definitely his most 'prog rock' album, a very weird listening experience indeed (and the 2 or 3 spoken word interludes over minimal music are kind of frustrating for non-French speakers like myself!). On a side note, I would disagree with the previous reviewer who says that his is his most 'pimpy and 'swanky' album, in many ways it is the album that is least in that sleazy vein, since it is just so odd. If you really want a CD that conjures up images of Serge sitting on a red velvet couch smoking a pipe Hugh Hefner style, listen to Vu De L'Exterieur instead. That's Serge at his pimpin' best!

Serge Gainsbourg has many styles, this album represents his most pimpy and swanky of those styles. His voice is laid just so lightly over electric guitars and he sounds as if he is sitting in a dark room on a red velvet couch smoking a pipe, Hugh Hefner style. This is a truly great Serge album that is harder to find than most of his other works and is not to be missed.

I love this album. Some of the tinkling bells is a bit dated, but the rest is genius.

Ok, this album caught me off guard. This is one strange, beautiful and amazing piece of music. Let go as Monsieur Gainsbourg takes you by the hand and walks you through the twisted halls and rooms of his mansion of love. Spooky and exhilarating. Sometimes boardering on strange halloweenish music. Lamenting sappy piano song turned honky tonk break down. Capitan Cook R and B weirdness. Styles and forms of music that would usually not do me right, make me beg for more. Totally moving and manic. Who else can talk through basically an entire album and make it sound this great? I know who can, S.G. can. I love this. This seals my Gainsbourg fanaticism. I'm a Serge addict. Please help yourself and get this.