"Venus on Earth" by Dengue Fever
"Venus on Earth"
"Venus on Earth" by Dengue Fever is an album that almost wasn't.
Shortly after the band's inception in 2001 the lead singer Cambodian Chhom Nimol was arrested and jailed by INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services) officials as a part of the post 9-11 crackdown in the search for terrorists.
Now Nimol has a new visa and the band has a new album.
Dengue Fever is one of those band's that defys pigeon holing into any one particular genre. Dengue Fever is a world band in that they are a mix of Cambodian pop, Ethiopian jazz, psychodelic rock, and surfer tunes. This creates a unique and interesting sound.
When deciding whether or not to review the album I picked a song just because I liked the sound of the title "Oceans of Venus". It turned out that the piece was an instrumental surfer type tune. I liked what I heard and was curious enough to want to hear more.
"Venus on Earth" is a mix of ballads, rock tunes, and instrumentals of cover and original songs.
Some of the songs are in English but most of them are in the native language of Cambodia - Khmer.
Dengue Fever can play a ballad or a rock tune with equal proficiency.
"Venus on Earth" is a nice change from the standard faire inundating the radio airwaves these days.
The band is worth a listen.
The name Dengue Fever is taken from the tropical disease by the same name. The disease is caused and transmitted via a mosquito bite.
In putting together Dengue Fever band members sought out a female singer who could perform in Khmer. The result was Chhom Nimol. She was a pop star in her own right in Cambodia. She came from a musical family (think a Cambodian Jacksons).
At the band's debut performance Nimol appeared on stage in full traditional Cambodian attire.
Soon thereafter disaster struck. Nimol had arrived in the US on a two week visa and never left. Nimol was arrested and jailed. Legal fees were paid with benefit concerts. It took almost a year for lawyers to sort things out and issue a new visa.
"Venus on Earth" the album that almost ws't...is a winner!
Published by Sherrill Fulghum
Sherrill has been writing for over 20 years and currently has over 2,500 pieces of work published; she has also co-authored a book. Besides AC currently her work can be found at Sydney Unleashed, All Voices,... View profile
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