25 years? From the 17 years-old Wanda, hanging around in her room, listnening to Blondie, Chiffons or Jane Birkin, fascinated by the images shining all over her, to the confirmed artist established in the European music scene with more than eight albums, numerous singles, some amazing videos ( with such directors as Jean-Pierre Jeunet ), and hundreds of worldwide shows, it seems like a tremendous gap... maybe it?s just a step. Born in Mangalde, a tiny village in northern Portugal, Lio?s career started in a dazzling over-night explosion with the release of Banana Split, the exquisite - instantly fixed in your mind - single, soon followed by the other european chart favorite Amoureux solitaires ( both singles sold respectively 2 and 5 millions copies ). Far from an artificial glorious feat doomed to decline as fast as it went up, these years were the begining of a full, rich and eclectic career we had to celebrate with this Best Of - Pop Songs & Ballades, ending the reissues serie by Ze Records where you can find the first seven albums, digitally remastered and trimmed with exclusive bonus tracks. This compilations are, like a journey<++CUT++> into Lio?s universe, filled with delightful imagerie and insolent dreams; going from the stirring Sage Comme Une Image or Les Brunes Comptent Pas Pour Des Prunes, to the softer and emotional side of L?Autre Joue and Je M?ennuie De Toi. Whether it is on Pop Songs or Ballades, you?ll find that same particular state of mind, something between cynicism and tenderness, a subtle mix of na?ve character and strongly sharped personality. Lio?s musical panoply is also very similar to the way she managed her public life: ready to embrace many different universes and atmospheres. Lio?s legendary energy and cheeky enthusiasm are felt all over this compilation, sometimes in a cheerful way ( Fallait Pas Commencer, Suite Sixtine, T?t?ou ), sometimes through poetic melancholy ( Si Belle Et Inutile, Malaise Sur La Falaise, Je Voudrais Bien Me Sentir Mal ). The cover illustration of Pop Songs & Ballades by famous artist Guy Peeleart symbolizes perfectly this artful and sympathic duality, or, to be true to Lio?s verbal combinations, this ?sweet schyzophrenia?. 25 years of marvellous musical adventures but the energy is still as strong as ever. Maybe incomplete for unconditional fans but also enliven by a few rarities, this track selection will at least give you a glimpse on how sincere and fun European popular culture have been through artists like Lio, with an exuberant, instinctive personality, a mischievous sense of humour, a touch of impertinence, and a few tunes firmly lodged into collective consciousness for the next twenty years...