Déportivo, a power trio, debuted in 2004 with the maxi-single La Salade, followed shortly thereafter by the full-length Parmi Eux. Though Parmi Eux wasn't a major commercial success initially, positive word spread over the months following its release, and consequently the album began climbing up the French albums chart. For their self-titled follow-up, Déportivo collaborated with producer Gordon Raphael, celebrated for his work on the Strokes' Is This It. Released in 2007 in association with Universal Music France, the eponymous album reached the Top 30 of the French albums chart. While lacking the surprise of the band's debut effort, Déportivo was similarly well received from a critical standpoint. ~ Jason Birchmeier