"Grin" REVIEWS!
"These days it’s getting harder and harder to find something to smile about. Grin, the second album of Toronto-based blueVenus offers itself for consideration. Grin is a tale of hurdles; the overcoming of them, the outright avoidance of them, and the tracks of tears and smiles of the miles in between.
The album starts with the title-track and for a few seconds it sounds like you’re about to head down to O Brother, Where Art Thou? country. But right before you get to the crossroads, blueVenus hits the breaks on Bourbon Street and the dancing ensues. By the time you hear, “Everyone will say life gave you a lemon/You just got to grin” it’s too late; grief or not, you’re feeling funky and ready to go along for the ride. On guitar Devrim Eldelekli is a virtuoso of cool, wielding his axe with a dizzying precision, transitioning seamlessly from the bad-ass bluesy riffs of “In Between” to the radiating roar of the Johnny Greenwood-reminiscent rumble of “Lucky Well” and “The Life” to the jazzy jamming on the Fiona Apple-ish “No Time To Waste,” which also showcases the potent pipes of Andrea De Boer. To say De Boer has a powerful voice is selling her short; she can sound as delicate as fine China—and we’re talking the good stuff that momma only brings out only for holiday dinners—and as powerful as a cabaret crooner from a bygone era of women singers who only needed one name because they were that damn good: Ella, Billie, Janis, you name it, Andrea De Boer can hold her own.
Difficult to squeeze into a genrelization, there’s no doubt Grin has a pop sensibility to it; the album is catchy, laden with tunes tailor made for the tapping of toes. Even when it threatens to get cheesy with a song like “Happy Tune”, the ska/early No Doubt vibe that starts things off gives way to a perfectly happy-go-lucky ditty, summing up everything that’s good and bad about those parts of adolescence that we’re supposed to grow out of, but never do (if ever a song was made for a John Hughes movie it’s this) and by the end you find yourself with a fitting grin. You could call the album jazz, pop, rock, or any number of other modifiers and they’d all fit, but above everything else Grin is fun. Take “Ohrwurm”, just when it sounds like you’re getting a long-lost outtake from Sgt. Pepper Eldelekli goes Jay-Z and busts out a German rap. If you don’t know German what he says is anybody’s guess, but it fits, and it’s fun, and there’s not just something to that; there’s something to be said about that. Smiling might not be as easy and organic as it used to be. But there are no sour lemons behind this Grin; in matters of sound, blueVenus is as sweet as they come. Drink it up."
Justin Holt-OXYFICATION.NET
blueVenus has an interesting story behind their musical journey, one which takes a transatlantic journey from Germany all the way back to the bands stomping grounds in Toronto, Canada. Newly married Berklee College grads, singer/songwriter Andrea de Boer and guitarist/co-songwriter Devrim Eldelekli inject their latest effort, Grin from various lyrical and instrumental sources to produce a sound that is uniquely their own.
The album begins with the title track “Grin” which introduces an eclectic arrangement of instruments that simply works, and works well to float Boer’s voice in its slightly melancholy journey to redemption at the fruition of the track. The jazz horns and jaunty guitar plucking are welcome aural notes needed to forward the songs trajectory.
The arrangements then change suite on “Happy Tune” with its boogie like backing and orchestral elements. Similarly, “In Between” wastes no time in changing the albums sound with its jazz horns and Ska like guitar elements. Further on, “Ohrwurm” introduces German rapping into the mélange when the listener has just begun to reminisce in a full swung Beatles homage circa Sergeant Pepper.
The album is obviously an autobiographical journey chronicling an obstructed path and steps taken to achieve the sometimes impossible. “Wait and Go” describes the angst and uncertainty involved in following ones path and persevering through the different shades of life’s ups and downs. “Lucky Well” is a hushed melody that builds slowly with its billowing bridges and soft verses.
de Boer has a powerful voice that can come off as disengaging and fragile, then amp itself up to a lovely growl
Overall, Grin gives the record that touch of much needed originality. Listeners will be happy to know that blueVenus has produced a deeply personal, yet relatable album with its bittersweet lyrics and lush delivery.
Rukshan Thenuwara – MuzikReviews.com Staff
"GRIN, the latest release by Toronto alternative band blueVenus starts on a high note. Opening with the title track, the album gets off to a fine start.“Wait and Go” and “Killing Time” are songs you won’t be able to resist listening to on repeat." -THE FULCRUM
"Canadian lo-fi pop singer/songwriter is rife with nuance and culture"
-SMOTHER MAGAZINE
4 stars-
"Take a ride out of this world to the planet of blueVenus.
On arrival to blueVenus, be prepared to be black-holed into an album of refreshing, transcending and hypnotic music. Accompanying the jazz vocals of Toronto-based lead singer Andrea de Boer, are her Latin violin and the captivating guitar chords of husband guitarist Devrim Eldelkli. Also added to the cultural mix are some German lyrics and rap. So jump into your rocket ship and take the journey to blueVenus, because there’s no lack of musical adventure awaiting you!"
-YOUTHINK.CA
BIO
Founded in 1998 by singer/songwriter and violinist Andrea de Boer, Toronto’s blueVenus is known for not only their captivating lyrical musings but also for their polished but highly textured mélange of sounds. Described as “hypnotic and impressive” by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) Germany’s national newspaper, de Boer’s voice is a blend of a sultry, bluesy Janis Joplin with the youthful wariness of Fiona Apple. Partnering with Juno Award-winners L. Stu Young to work on their 2004’s self-titled EP, and Matt DeMatteo to produce their first full-length, Grin, released in the fall of 2009, blueVenus has captured the attention of Canada’s most respected producers.
With a unique blend of Indie Pop/Rock with Jazz and Latin influences, blueVenus has received many prominent acknowledgments, such as nominations at the Toronto Independent Music Awards and an honourable mention in the 2005 Billboard Song Contest. Appearances include touring Germany and appearing at Turkey’s Rocklstanbul Festival along with Garbage and Megadeth and performing at Canadian and US festivals, like the upcoming Midpoint Music Festival, NXNE, CMW and NMW-New Music West.
Working on material for the follow-up to Grin, blueVenus will be performing a number of shows in the fall and winter of 2010. de Boer’s travels with blueVenus include recent changes, including the departure of collaborator Devrim Eldeleki. The last year has taken Andrea down a challenging road with lots of twists and curves in her travels, but despite life’s tribulations, blueVenus is stronger than ever.
Laina Dawes
"Grin" CD for sale in Toronto at Soundscapes (572 College St.) www.soundscapesmusic.com and Beach City Music (2146 Queen St. East) www.beachcitymusic.ca
To get the new CD "Grin" NOW! Go to http://www.bluevenusmusic.com
