Mr. Oizo

Though it's a sure bet he'll linger in the minds of most only for his omnipresent Levi's advert and 1999 European chart-topper "Flat Beat," music-video director Quentin Dupieux turned in some excellent electronic productions as Mr. Oizo. Far from the madding crowds of ad-oriented hipster trance or jungle, "Flat Beat" was a midtempo techno production with heavily distorted effects and a playful nature that fit perfectly with the visual focus, a sock puppet. While still a teenager, Dupieux began directing short films for French television, and turned in no less than eight works between 1994 and 1998. His associations with the music world began in 1997, when leading French dance citizen Laurent Garnier serendipitously bought a car from Dupieux's father. Dupieux directed the video for Garnier's "Flashback" single, as well as the long-form video Nightmare Sandwiches starring and featuring music by Garnier. That year, he also moved into music production, with his debut single "#1" appearing on Garnier's F Communications label. After the video he (naturally) directed for second single "M-Seq" landed on an ad-agency desk, he was tapped to direct the commercial that launched Levi's vaunted non-denim line of trousers. The eccentric advert -- featuring a puppet named Flat Eric maniacally bobbing his head to the music in the passenger seat of a Chevelle while a nonplussed human driver concentrated on the road -- soon became famous across Europe, and the single (also on F Communications) hit number one all across the continent. (It eventually sold over two million copies.) The obligatory full-length Analog Worms Attack followed in October, and earned American distribution early the following year. Dupieux also directed the video for "Party People" by Alex Gopher.

2000 - Analogue Worms Attack

Mr. Oizo - 2000 - Analogue Worms Attack

The album debut for Quentin Dupieux may not have received worldwide distribution had it not been for its most publicized track, the notorious Levi's advert and crossover hit named "Flat Beat." But it's doubtful Dupieux will turn into a one-hit wonder -- and if he does, there's always his directing career -- since Analog Worms Attack is an inventive album that somehow marries the experimental side of techno (Cristian Vogel, Laurent Garnier) with the outrageous flair of novelty tracks usually seen on, well, television commercials. Even including "Flat Beat" (which was wisely added only as a bonus track), the highlights are "Monophonic Shit" and "No Day Massacre," two tracks that blend surprisingly deep grooves and oddball effects. It's not so much a sense of humor that Dupieux displays here; it's closer to the playful side of quasi-pop electronica fashioned by Mouse on Mars and Like a Tim. Fans of the trademarked "Flat Beat" sound will find much to love as well ("Smoking Tape" and "Flat 55" are most similar to the hit), making Analog Worms Attack a left-field treat for both pop-culture seekers and genuine music fans.

		1		Bad Start	Ozio	54:39
		2		Monophonic Shit	Ozio	52:53
		3		No Day Massacre	Ozio	48:57
		4		Smoking Tape	Ozio	44:40
		5		Last Night a DJ Killed My Dog	Ozio	43:08
		6		The Salad	Ozio	38:41
		7		Bobby Can't Dance	Ozio	35:37
		8		Analog Worms Attack	Dupieux	32:51
		9		One Minute Shakin	Dupieux	27:58
		10		Inside the Kidney Machine	Dupieux	26:44
		11		Miaaaw	Dupieux	21:54
		12		Flat 55	Dupieux	17:31
		13		Feadz On	Dupieux	15:08
		14		Analog Wormz Sequet	Dupieux	13:58
		15		Flat Beat [*]	Dupieux	5:18

¡Aquí!