Dengue Fever - Venus On Earth (2008)

Dengue Fever - Venus On Earth (2008)

I'm glad Dengue Fever are getting more popular. I can tell this because a Google search for their name actually brings up the band's MySpace near the top of the page, directly below images and information on the actual disease. That's a huge step up from a couple of years ago when they were delegated to the ass end of the search results.

So they have this new album now, and it's not too shabby. The band gives us more Cambodian-flavored pop music with a number of songs performed in singer Chhom Nimol's native language, Khmer. The really exotic, somewhat snaky intonation of the language on top of her already beautiful voice gives the music real flavor, so much so that when singer/guitarist Zac Holtzman contributes English vocals on a few tracks, the album tends to falter. Which raises the question: why ruin a good thing? Nimol is one of the most unique voices in modern rock. Holtzman, while not a bad singer by any means, would better serve the band by sitting back and letting her do her thing.

Musically, Venus on Earth maintains an upbeat pop tempo with a surf rock/spy music kind of feel. Personally, I was hoping for a little more progression into the psychedelic territory they've explored previously. Instead, they've given us more of the same and taken no significant steps forward or backward, which is both good or bad depending on how you approach it. The hooks are still there, so I'm happy. They aren't as huge as they were on their last album, but trying to outdo those hooks would've been asking too much, and I'm just not that selfish. It's good music nonetheless. Interested parties should check out the band's previous album Escape From Dragon House first, though, and then give this one a shot if you're left wanting more.

Score: 7/10


"Clipped Wings"


"Laugh Track"