Les Mots (Mylène Farmer album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Les Mots
Type = Greatest hits
Artist = Mylène Farmer


Released = November 26, 2001
Genre = Pop-Rock
Length = 139:59
Label = Polydor
Producer = Laurent Boutonnat
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:kvfexqt0ldae link]
* Fnac rating-10|9 [http://www4.fnac.com/Shelf/article.aspx?PRID=1258635&OrderInSession=1&Mn=6&SID=43955a2e-483b-f11c-d786-9f8855bc77fe&Origin=FnacAff&Ra=-28&To=0&Nu=1&UID=1C1B63DAA-D0BC-016B-82BB-732FB0B5E129&Fr=0 link]
*Amazon.fr Rating|5|5 [http://www.amazon.fr/Coffret-CD-Collection-Best-Mots/dp/B00005RD56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1199922028&sr=1-1 link]
Last album = "Mylenium Tour"
(2000)
This album = "Les Mots"
(2001)
Next album = "RemixeS"
(2003)
Misc = Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternate cover
Type = Greatest hits


Lower caption = Long boxSingles
Name = Les Mots
Type = Greatest hits
single 1 = L'Histoire d'une fée, c'est...
single 1 date = February 27, 2001
single 2 = Les Mots
single 2 date = November 13, 2001
single 3 = C'est une belle journée
single 3 date = April 16, 2002
single 4 = Pardonne-moi
single 4 date = October 21, 2002

"Les Mots" is the first compilation by Mylène Farmer, released on November 26, 2001.

It sold more than 1.5 million copies in France only, achieving Diamond status there. It is also the best-selling best-of album in France ever.

Background and release

In 2001, rumours were launched that Farmer was doing her first compilation. However, while some people thought that it would be a remixes compilation as "Dance Remixes", for others it would be an acoustic compilation and for others, it would be a best of containing all Farmer's hits. Eventually, it was a best of, preceded by the release of the new single "Les Mots", the first international duet of Farmer. The best of was also entitled "Les Mots" and was released throughout Europe on November 28, 2001"Les Mots" [http://www.mylenefarmeriscalled.net/lesmotsalbumglob.html Mylenefarmeriscalled.net] (Retrieved February 17, 2008)] .

This album includes all Farmer's tracks released as singles since "Maman a tort" until "L'Histoire d'une fée, c'est...", except "On est tous des imbéciles" (due to problems of copyright) and "My Mum Is Wrong". It also contains several B-sides (two of them for the general public, the other ones in the long box ; "L'Annonciation" and "Dernier Sourire" don't feature on the album due to problems of copyright) and three news songs. The live singles are not included in the track listing. In total, there are 30 tracks for the general public and 33 titles for the limited edition. A long box was made with four CD instead of two, including a DVD of the new Farmer's video.

The booklet is composed of very sexy and provocative photographs of Farmer, on which she has suggestive positions, and wears pearly stockings, a pink pants and a silk négligée. ["Virgin Mega Press', February 2002 [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2002/Virgin_mega_presse_63_022002.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 22, 2008)] These photos were made by Ellen Von Unwerth, with a budget of 67,000 euros."Mylène Farmer, le culte - L'envers du décor", Sophie Khairallah, 2007, Why Not Ed., p. 58] However, unlike on the previous albums, the singer smiles on these photosLe Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer, Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 167-168] .

There were four singles from this best of : "L'Histoire d'une fée, c'est..." (February 27, 2001), "Les Mots" (November 13, 2001), "C'est une belle journée" (April 16, 2002) and "Pardonne-moi" (October 21, 2002). The two first ones were relased before the best of, and the two others after this one.

Critical reception

"Les Mots" was generally well received by contemporary musical critics and media.

According to "La Libre Belgique", the Farmer's work is "synthesized in a superb way" in this album. This compilation also "gives an idea of the real musical evolution" of the artist. ["La Libre Belgique", December 12, 2001 [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2001/la_libre_belgique_12122001.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 22, 2008)] The Swiss newspaper "Le Matin" described this album as "a superb compilation" and "a 'must' in the matter", containing "many hits", with "provocative" images. ["Le Matin", December 17, 2001, "Les bas de Mylène", Ch.F. [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2001/le_matin_(suisse)_17122001.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 22, 2008)] The French magazine "Flèches Cool" said that this album is an "imposing best of with 27 tracks, all very well known and appreciated by a wide public". ["Flèches Cool", March 2, 2002, "Les Mots" [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2002/Fleches_cool_11_02032002.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 22, 2008)] "Télé Star" praised the first CD, saying it contains hits with "unstoppable melody", "flights of strings", and "tortured or sexy words", while it criticized the second CD, that "testifies the frayed inspiration of the singer". ["Télé Star", No. 1323, February 9-15, 2002 [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2002/Tele_star_1323_du_09_au_15022002.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 22, 2008)] As for "Voici", "this double album stands out". ["Voici", February 2002 [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2002/Voice_022002.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 22, 2008)]

Chart performances

This best of reached the highest position in France and Belgium since its release. ["La Dernière Heure", December 4, 2001, "Farmer mène la bal...", L.L. [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2001/la_derniere_heure_04122001.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 22, 2008)] According to "France Soir" and "La Lanterne", 670,000 copies of this album were sold in the first month in France, ["France Soir", January 15, 2002, "Ces chansons qui valent des millions", C.P. [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2002/France_soir_15012002.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 22, 2008)] ["La Lanterne", January 16, 2002, "Farmer, 10,4 millions d'€" [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2002/La_lanterne_16012002.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 22, 2008)] and 700,000 in the two first months, according to "Jukebox"."Jukebox", No. 179, June 2002 [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2002/Jukebox_magazine_179_%20062002_4.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 22, 2008)]

In France, the best of debuted at #1 on Top Compilations on December 1, 2001 and remained there for 6 consecutive weeks. It appeared in the Top 10 for 39 weeks. It was ranked on this chart over one year, thanks to the release of the two new songs "C'est une belle journée" and "Pardonne-moi""Les Mots", French SNEP Compilations Chart [http://www.ifop.com/europe/sondages/topcmp/cmp0148.stm Ifop.com] (Retrieved February 17, 2008)] . It was the best-selling compilation in 20012001 French Compilations Chart [http://www.ifop.com/europe/sondages/discannu/compil01.stm Ifop.com] (Retrieved February 17, 2008)] and 20022002 French Compilations Chart [http://www.ifop.com/europe/sondages/DISCANNU/compil02.stm Ifop.com] (Retrieved February 17, 2008)] .

In Belgium, the album went straight to #2 on December 12, 2001, and then became number 1 for four weeks. It remained in the Top 10 for 15 weeks and in the Top 40 for 43 weeks"Les Mots", Belgian (Wallonia) Albums Chart [http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Myl%E8ne+Farmer&titel=Les+mots&cat=a Ultratop.be] (Retrieved February 17, 2008)] . The album featured at #28 and #14 on the 20012001 Belgian Albums Chart [http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2001&cat=a Ultratop.be] (Retrieved February 17, 2008)] and 20022002 Belgian Albums Chart [http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2002&cat=a Ultratop.be] (Retrieved February 17, 2008)] end of year chart.

In Switzerland, the album got its highest position when it entered at # 6, on December 12, 2001, and remained on the chart (Top 100) for 38 weeks"Les Mots", Swiss Albums Chart [http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Myl%E8ne+Farmer&titel=Les+mots&cat=a Hitparade.ch] (Retrieved February 17, 2008)] .

The best of was sold more than 500,000 copies in the first month, and 700,000 copies in two first months. In Europe, including France, over a million copies were sold in June 2002 and it won the World Platinum Award"Les Mots" [http://www.mylenefarmeriscalled.net/lesmotsalbumglob.html Mylenefarmeriscalled.net] (Retrieved February 17, 2008)] . Certified Diamond in FranceMylène Farmer certifications [http://www.chartsinfrance.net/certifications/artiste-850.html Chartsinfrance.net] (Retrieved February 17, 2008)] , Platinum in Belgium, and Gold in Switzerland, it sold throughout Europe more than 1,5 million copies, which is a record for a compilation.

Formats

* Double CD - Crystal case
* Double CD - Digipack - Limited edition (100,000)
* Cassette 1 - Double length
* Cassette 2 - Double length
* Quadruple 7"
* Collector edition - Long Box 3 CD + 1 DVD - Limited edition (30,000) (1)
* CD - European version (2)
* Double CD - Digipack - Promo
* Cassette 1 - Double length - Promo
* Cassette 2 - Double length - Promo
* Collector edition - Long Box 3 CD + 1 DVD - Promo (1)

(1) Contains also a third CD
(2) Only one CD with 15 songs

Track listing

References