Venus On Earth
by Dengue Fever
  • Record Label: M80
  • Release Date: Jan 22, 2008
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Uncut
    80
    Always led by the miraculous voice of Ch'hom Nimol. So beautifully and effectively, in fact, that they end up giving fusion a good name. [Feb 2008, p.78]
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  2. Village Voice
    80
    Venus on Earth, their third album, contains more English lyrics than their previous two efforts, but it also represents some of the band's most sentimental work.
  3. AllMusic
    80
    Nimol's vocals are as beguiling as ever, Ethan Holtzman's Farfisa organ still swirls, Zac Holtzman's guitars still chime and chunk, and Paul Dreux Smith's drums clang happily along.
  5. PopMatters
    80
    This transcends the sometimes dubious genre of world music in every sense.
  6. Under The Radar
    80
    The band loosens up here quite a bit, letting things swing more, drone more, and echo more. [Winter 2008, p.81]
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  7. Los Angeles Times
    80
    Sexy and eclectic, it's world music for the cool kids.
  8. Mojo
    80
    The punk grooves of 'Laugh Track' or 'Seeing Hands' and the near-perfect Phnom Pehn pop of 'Mr. Orange' or "Monsoon Of Perfume' bookend a set that grows in strength with each play. [Feb 2008, p.110]
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  9. Dusted Magazine
    80
    Venus on Earth proves that world-pop fusion needn’t be a pastiche of watered-down musical tropes, but rather something vital and soul affirming--a fever to embrace.
  10. Prefix Magazine
    70
    The band itself is top notch here.
  11. Hot Press
    70
    If you're in the mood for something weird, check out this album that fuses psychedelic rock with Cambodian lyrics.
  12. Spin
    70
    Venus on Earth feels impulsive and rich, rippling with surf psychedelia and exultant brass swing.
  13. Blender
    70
    Even the otherworld instrumental 'Oceans of Venus' can’t counterbalance Venus’s ballad-heavy bottom half.
  14. Austin Chronicle
    67
    The seductive warble of Cambodian-born singer Chhom Nimol converts this psychedelic canvas into high art as she sways effortlessly between English and her native Khmer.
  15. The Guardian
    60
    At their best - on songs such as the wailing and quirky Seeing Hands and Mr Orange, or the pounding finale One Thousand Tears of a Tarantula - they play an intriguing mixture of psychedelic rock and garage surf styles, mixed in with Nimol's cool, clear vocals in Khmer.
  16. Pitchfork
    40
    Even when their songs pass muster, the performances feel ineffectual, which makes long stretches of Venus on Earth drag semi-miserably.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 3 out of 12
  1. IlyaR
    Mar 1, 2008
    8
    The blend of flawless harmonies and novel infusion of world music makes this album one that you can listen to over and over without getting bored.
  2. Joy
    Feb 13, 2008
    10
    Psychedelic combines a beautiful Khmer-language vocalist,it's new avant-pop music a bit like "Beirut".It's a new form of music Psychedelic combines a beautiful Khmer-language vocalist,it's new avant-pop music a bit like "Beirut".It's a new form of music post-modernism we should concentrate on.… Full Review »
  3. SDK
    Feb 1, 2008
    9
    Their latest and most solid release to date - venus on earth carries with it no baggage but yet trims all the edges of the past and creates a Their latest and most solid release to date - venus on earth carries with it no baggage but yet trims all the edges of the past and creates a newness for all to hear, feel and breathe. there's a trust with the musicians - a bond as the album moves. it keeps you coming back for more.… Full Review »
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