Feelin' French? Great Albums for Under $10!

While I do consider myself a music junkie, I tend to go through phases with music overplaying new artists within a month and rarely taking the time to buy new albums for myself. Having OD-ed on this year's hot albums like Santogold and Vampire Weekend (especially when they're overplayed on every ABC and WB show and UrbanOutfitters across America...thanks guys!) I felt compelled to search overseas for something fresh and exciting enough to buy. I found my new musical zest for life in the genre of French pop and despite the fact I cannot understand one lyrical word, I feel like this new phase could be played out well into the new year or perhaps until I learn to be semi-fluent in French. Here are a few of the top groups in my Feelin' French playlist:

Loane
One of the few whose entire album is available on iTunes ($9.99) and well worth buying. Best bets include: Danser and Jamais seule, though the entire album is golden.

Carla Bruni
First heard her Quelqu'un M'a Dit in a yoga class and was struck by the uniqueness of a more bluegrass/acoustic folk sound set to French lyrics and come to find out that beautiful singing voice belongs to that modelesque first lady over there in France...a stunner to the eyes in a sea of political stiffs and pure sultry silkiness to the ears. All three of her albums are available on iTunes for $9-10 each...her second one entirely in English sans accent but still great...buy them...NOW...and...yah, you're welcome.

Mauss et Charlie
Mauss is more alternative rock than any of these other groups, namely because of the incorporation of drums. I'm actually not so much a fan of Mauss' solo stuff as I am of this great collaboration with gorgeous french female vocalist Charlie in Je recherche.

Ridan
Give the haunting Ulysse a listen. Ridan's sound is straight up French pop and both previous and newer albums are full of classic french melodic winners.

Da Silva
Check out this French pop artist's beautifully raspy vocals in Au moment des amours and De la haut. You may also wanna take a listen to the melodically relaxed and smooth Tout va pour le mieux. Da Silva's newest album, De beaux jours a venir, is also available through iTunes for a mere $8.01.

Zoe Avril
Zoe encompasses elements of the traditional circus-like french folk genre in her sweetly fresh acoustic pop rock. Try on the playful On ne changera pas le monde for size.