Carnets Noirs Acte II Chronicles French Alternative Rock Scene

The publication 'Carnets Noirs Acte II. La scène francophone' focuses on the French alternative rock scene from the late 1970s to contemporary times. It accompanies the reissue of a first volume dedicated to the international scene. The book covers various styles including New Wave, Cold Wave, industrial music, and Gothic, featuring groups like Marquis de Sade, Kas Product, Étant Donné, and Die Form. Two common threads unite these musics: modest but independent production conditions tied to new recording spaces, and the creation of new venues for dissemination such as concert halls, festivals, free radio stations, and fanzines like New Wave. The term 'alternative' music is defined by its radical difference from other rock forms in both production and distribution. The volume provides a precise history of these minority musics in France, preserving their memory through rich iconography. However, it lacks critical analysis of the imagery, which reveals how factivity and authenticity intertwine to construct identity. Christophe Kihm is the author.