Album Review: En Famille by Mes Aïeux – Folk Meets Feels in This Canadian Gem
Let’s cut to the chase: En Famille by Mes Aïeux isn’t just another folk album—it’s like spending an evening with your weird but lovable relatives. Released in 2004 under Les Disques Victoire, this record dives deep into International, Folk, World, and Country vibes, all while keeping things refreshingly Québécois. Produced by Jess Gagnon (who also mixed it) and supervised by the band itself, it's got that homemade-meets-professional charm. And hey, props to Serge Brouillette for executive-producing and Harold Fortin for snapping some killer photos—this thing looks as good as it sounds.
Now, onto the tracks. With a tracklist long enough to make you think they were trying to fill a time capsule, there are standouts that stick in your brain like gum on a hot sidewalk. Let’s zoom in on two tunes that’ll have you hitting repeat until your neighbors start leaving passive-aggressive notes.
First up is "Le Repos Du Guerrier." It’s one of those songs where you can almost picture yourself sitting around a campfire wearing wool socks and sipping questionable cider. The lyrics feel personal yet universal, like someone whispering secrets about life without being pretentious about it. There’s something hypnotic about how the melody loops back on itself—it’s cozy but not boring, like a well-worn sweater. Plus, who doesn’t love a title that translates to “The Warrior’s Rest”? Sounds epic, right? But really, it’s more chill than Clash of the Titans. Perfect for when you need music that feels thoughtful without making you want to write poetry.
Then there’s "Dégénérations / Le Reel Du Fossé." Oh man, this tune hits different. It starts off slow and reflective, lulling you into thinking it’s gonna be all mopey—and then BAM! Outta nowhere comes this fiddle-driven frenzy that makes you wanna grab the nearest kitchen utensil and pretend it’s a violin bow. Seriously, if this song doesn’t get your feet tapping, check your pulse. It’s got layers, dude. Layers of storytelling, layers of emotion, and layers of pure foot-stomping goodness. You don’t just listen to this track; you experience it. Also, shoutout to whoever decided to mash these two pieces together—it works so freakin’ well.
The rest of the album follows suit: heartfelt ballads, toe-tapping reels, and moments that make you go, “Wait, did I hear that chord progression before?” Spoiler alert: yes, because repetition is kinda their thing here. Tracks like "Ça Va Mal" show up twice, which might seem lazy at first glance, but honestly? It adds to the familial vibe. Like hearing your aunt tell the same story twice at Thanksgiving dinner—you roll your eyes, sure, but secretly, you kinda love it.
What strikes me most about En Famille is its authenticity. No flashy gimmicks, no overproduced nonsense—it’s raw, real, and unapologetically Canadian. If albums could wear flannel shirts and drink maple syrup straight from the bottle, this would be it.
So yeah, give En Famille a spin if you’re into music that feels like home—even if home is slightly chaotic and smells faintly of wet dog. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself humming Québécois folk tunes during your next Zoom meeting.
Final thought: Listening to this album feels like eavesdropping on a family reunion where everyone actually likes each other. Weird flex, but okay.
