Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title:  Sinners
Company: Trans World
Catalog: TW 6801
Year: 1971
Country/State: Montreal Quebec, Canada
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: small punch out hole top right corner
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 6369
Price: $110.00

I'll readily admit that Les Sinners online discographies are a mess (and mine isn't perfect). There are plenty of online references, but precious few of them are available in English and both the French and English versions seem to be full of errors and disconnects, including a couple of references that indicate the band that recorded the 1971 'monster' album was a different outfit than recorded the other Sinners LPs. I'm pretty sure there was only one Sinners, though by the time 1971's "Sinners" was released lead singer Guy Francois had left in order to pursue Quebec independence and other musical interests via the band La Révolution Française. With the exception of drummer Louis Parizeau, Francois and the rest of the original Sinners lineup seem to have headed for the door leaving the Sinners nameplate in the hands of drummer Louis Parizeau and new lead singer/bassist Alain Jodoin. The pair quickly recruited lead guitarist Arthur Cossette and rhythm guitarist Daniel Valois to continue the group.  

Signed to the Trans-World label, 1970's "Sinners" marked a departure from recent stabs at concept pieces and a return to a more streamlined pop and rock oriented sound. Jodoin wasn't as gifted a singer as Francois, but his raspy voice was actually well suited for the band's return to a more basic sound. Mind you, this wasn't the garage rock found on their debut, rather featured a diverse collection of tracks including stabs at political activism 'Quebec Nous T'aimons' (echoing Francois' solo agenda), a bluesy-psych workout 'Petite Filles T'es Down'' early stabs at afrobeat 'Jungle (Afriqu'out)', the brief instrumental 'Funerailles D'un wa wa Rond', and even an extended raga instrumental 'Aux Petits Oiseaux (Raga)'. The album also showcased a strange penchant for adding Daniel Valois' flutes to many of their arrangements (check out the opening rocker O.K. L'chien''). It certainly wasn't the most focused effort you'll ever hear leaving you with the impression these guys were trying to figure out where they might fit in the buying public demography. Still, the band's rock oriented material made for some nice highlights, including the bluesy 'Charogne', 'Heavy' and 'Groovy' (the latter which included a rare English vocal performance and could have been a top-40 hit.

- Yeah, the flute-powered opening sounded like something off a Herbie Mann album, but when Jodoin's snarling vocal kicked in (not sure what he was singing about - I think the word 'chien' translates as 'dog', but he sounded quite pissed off), 'O.K. L'chien' suddenly became quite interesting. rating: **** stars
- So what are you to make of a band from Quebec singing a song entiled 'Jungle (Afriqu'out)' ? Well, Daniel Valois' flute was a major irritant to my ears and the jungle sound effects and fake African dialog would get you banned in today's politically sensitive environment. The first half of the song was a decent pop song which is probably why it got tapped as the second single, but overall this was one you could pass on. rating: ** stars
- Opening up with some melodic Jean-Guy Cossette lead guitar, 'Quebec Nous T'aimons' (I think it translated as 'Quebec we love you'), was one of those bouncy stadium anthems in support of Quebec independence from the rest of Canada. Think along the lines of Queen's 'We Will Rock You' with political overtones. Great song which was tapped as a single. rating: **** stars
- Ever seen one of those throwaway American International 1960sexploitation flicks ? Well, 'Groovy' sounded like something from one of those flicks ... actually Jodoin turned in what sounded like a really good Eric Burdon and the Animals performance. It was also one of those rarities - namely a French Canadian band willing to sing in English. Great hook and had quite a bit of commercial potential with Cossette turning in another nice lead guitar segment. Oh yeah, the end sounded like something out of a Muppets flick. rating: **** stars
- A brief instrumental, 'Funerailles D'un wa wa Ron' sounded like a bunch of frogs auditioning for one of those Budweiser commercials. Pass. rating: ** stars
- Starting out with some blazing feedback guitar, 'Petite Filles T'es Down' (little girls are depressed ?), was a cool, slightly acid-tinged rocker. Once again Jodoin sounded a bit like a Quebec version of Eric Burdon. Not sure what the spoken word segment was all about, but with the studio sounded effects it sounded like a bad acid trip ... rating: *** stars
- 'Charogne' (I think it translates roughly as a 'rotting corpse'), was a take-no-prisoner slice of bluesy garage rock. Again, I had no idea what Jodoin was going on about, but backed by a neat wah-wah guitar from Cossette and some nice harmonica, this was one of the album's standout performances. rating: **** stars
- Bouncy and quite radio friendly, 'Chicoutimi' found the band returning to more of a pop sound. In part due to Cossette's prominent fuzz guitar, I liked this one quite a bit. rating: **** stars
- Well, initially the flute gave 'Heavy' kind of a Focus-like vibe, but after awhile you could overlook it and concentrate on the guitars and Jodoin's snarling vocals. rating: **** stars
- A bouncy, almost blue-eyed soul number 'Ben Gele' was one of the album's most commercial numbers. Nice keyboards, though I wish the song had been a bit longer. rating: *** stars
- The album's longest and strangest tune, 'Aux Petits Oiseaux (Raga)' was an Eastern flavored raga number. Funny, but I bet even in 1971 it sounded somewhat dated ... French Quebec playing Indian ragas. An dyou thought you'd heard it all. rating: *** stars

Trans World also tapped the album for a pair of singles:


- 1971's 'Quebec Nous T'aimons' b/w 'Chicoutimi' (Trans World catalog number TWF 69)
- 1971's 'Jungle' b/w 'Heavy' ((Trans World catalog number TWF 77)

Maybe not their creative zenith, but still thoroughly enjoyable and well worth looking for.

"Sinners" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) O.K. L'chien (Jean Gerard - Alain Jodoin) - 2:38
2.) Jungle (Afriqu'out) (Alain Jodoin - Jocelyne Berthiaume) - 3:15
3.) Quebec Nous T'aimons (Alain Jodoin - Jocelyne Berthiaume) - 3:27
4.) Groovy (Alain Jodoin) - 2:47
5.) Funerailles D'un wa wa Rond (instrumental) (Jean Gerard) - 0:55
6.) Petite Filles T'es Down (Alain Jodoin - Louis Parizeau - Jean Gerard) - 4:48

(side 2) 
1.) Charogne (Jean Gerard) - 2:52
2.) Chicoutimi (Alain Jodoin - Louis Parizeau) - 2:40
3.) Heavy (Alain Jodoin - Louis Parizeau - Jean Gerard) - 2:50
4.) Ben Gele (Alain Jodoin - Louis Parizeau) - 2:12
5.) Aux Petits Oiseaux (Raga) (instrumental) (Daniel Valois - Louis Valois - Michel Papineau) - 5:12