NOUVELLE VAGUE NV3 (2009 UK 13-track vinyl LP - Nouvelle Vague, the French band that conquered the world with bossa nova covers of punk and new wave classics, return in time for summer with their third album. Not wishing to tinker with their winning formula, but evolving all the same, 'NV3' picks up where 'Bande A Part' left off, and this time they're joined by some famous names. On it you'll encounter Depeche Mode's Martin Gore singing 'Master and Servant' with Nouvelle Vague's leading lady Melanie Pain; Ian McCulloch of Echo And The Bunnymen duetting with Melanie on 'All My Colours'; Marina Celeste performing 'Our Lips Are Sealed' with Terry Hall of the Specials and Funboy Three [a Go-Go's track penned by Hall]; and Magazine's 'Parade' sung by Barry Adamson and NV's Nadeah Miranda. Highlights include Talking Heads' 'Road To Nowhere' which is transformed into a dusty bar-room shuffle; 'Heaven' by Psychedlic Furs becomes a tender acoustic affair. A bluesy swagger through Gary Numan's 'Metal' is sung with innocence and charm. Even 'God Save The Queen', once full of menace and bile, is fashioned into a romantic flutter. Add enchanting covers of Plastic Bertrand's 'Ca Plane Pour Moi', Soft Cell's 'Say Hello Wave Goodbye' and 'So Lonely' by The Police, and you have Nouvelle Vague's strongest album to date!).