Master Serie by William Sheller: A French Pop-Rock Gem That Still Rocks (Kinda)
Let’s get one thing straight—1991 wasn’t exactly the year of groundbreaking musical innovation. Grunge was taking over America, boy bands were prepping their hair gel for the '90s invasion, and France? Well, France had Master Serie by William Sheller. This album is like a croissant stuffed with unexpected flavors—sweet, savory, and sometimes just plain weird—but it works more often than you’d think.
First off, let’s talk genres and styles because this thing is all over the map. Pop? Check. Rock? Yep. French chanson? Absolutely. Soundtracks? Sure, why not. Western European Traditions? Okay, now we’re getting fancy. But honestly, that mishmash is part of its charm. It’s like Sheller couldn’t decide what kind of musician he wanted to be, so he became five at once. And while that could’ve been a chaotic mess, it’s actually… kind of delightful?
Now onto the tracks. With 41 songs on this beast, I’m not gonna pretend I listened to every single one (who has time for that?), but two stood out enough to make me go, “Huh, okay, this guy’s got something.”
Track 1: Dans Un Vieux Rock'n'Roll
This tune hits you right off the bat with its rollicking piano riff and lyrics about nostalgia wrapped in rock ‘n’ roll swagger. It’s catchy as hell, even if your French is rusty or nonexistent. The melody feels timeless, like something you’d hear in a smoky Parisian café where everyone’s wearing berets and pretending they’re in an old Godard film. What makes it stick? Maybe it’s how unapologetically retro it feels without being cheesy. Or maybe it’s just fun to say “vieux rock’n’roll” repeatedly. Either way, it’s a bop.
Track 2: Oh, J’Cours Tout Seul
If Dans Un Vieux Rock'n'Roll is the life of the party, then Oh, J’Cours Tout Seul is the moody poet sulking in the corner. This track leans into Sheller’s knack for introspective lyricism, blending melancholy melodies with raw emotion. There’s a certain ache in his voice here that feels universal—even if you don’t understand every word, you can tell he’s singing about running away from something big. Spoiler alert: it might be himself. By the end, you’ll find yourself humming along despite yourself, wondering if you should grab a cigarette and stare wistfully out a window too.
---
So yeah, Master Serie is sprawling, ambitious, and occasionally messy—but isn’t that what makes it interesting? Listening to it feels like flipping through someone’s diary, except instead of embarrassing secrets, you get snippets of love, longing, and existential crises set to music. Plus, props to Sheller for cramming 41 tracks onto one album without losing steam entirely.
Here’s the kicker though: after diving deep into this record, I realized it’s less about perfection and more about personality. Sheller doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; he just gives it a fresh coat of paint and lets it spin wildly across the French countryside. And honestly? That’s kinda beautiful.
Final thought: If you ever meet someone who says they’ve memorized all 41 tracks, don’t trust them—they’re probably lying. But hey, maybe they’re worth befriending anyway. After all, anyone willing to dive headfirst into Master Serie clearly has good taste… or questionable judgment. Same difference.
(Rating: 8/10 – because no one needs THAT many versions of the same song.)
