Search - Rachel Stamp :: Oceans of Venus

Oceans Of Venus

R. Adamson | Scotland, United Kingdom | 05/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Released almost 3 years ago to little or no recognition, everyone's favourite glam rockers, Rachel Stamp took on the task of the difficult second album with startling results. After the success of 2000's independently released, "Hymns For Strange Children" (featuring the live favourites, "Monsters Of The New Wave", "I Wanna Be Your Doll", "Pink Skab" & Xfm Radio Hit "My Sweet Rose") HRH David Ryder-Prangley (Bass & Vocals), Riffmiester General - Will Crewdson (Lead Guitar), Princess Shaheena Dax (keyboards) & "Possibly-cloned-from-a-muppet", Robin Guy (drums) met that point in the career which every band faces - where they can either carry on as before, eventually burning out or succumbing to a bizarre gardening accident, or raise that metaphorical bar for themselves and push themselves to the limit but loose that section of the fan base who believe that how much eyeliner you apply holds the secret to musical enlightenment. Rachel Stamp took the route of "raising the bar" and churned out an album guaranteed to keep teenagers bedrooms painted black and strangely applied make up firmly in place across the country.



Wearing their influences firmly on their glittery sleeves, Rachel Stamp offer an album that "eschews the vagaries of the charts to deliver a classic rock master class" (to quote Xfm). Crammed full of delightful rock and roll thrills with the odd tip of the ol' top hat to KISS, Bowie, T. Rex, Black Sabbath & Prince, first single "Black Cherry" is full on glam rock fun which is a welcome relief to the rather bland musical scene of late. Stick on the title track, for instance and soon you will be reaching for that feather boa and tottering around in your mother's high heels in ecstatic glee!



The glam pop fun of "Hymns for Strange Children" is still present in all its sugar sweet with flies on glory. Tracks like "Twisted", "The Agony of St. Teresa" and live favourite "Superstars Of Heartache" are sure to have the faithful stage diving (even if it will be in their own homes until the next Rachel Stamp tour) and the Blondie-esque "Do Me In Once And I'll Be Sad, Do Me In Twice And I'll Know Better" is possibly the poppiest song in the band's arsenal.



Naughty words, double entendras, catchy hooks, honey like melodies and filled with staggering, cranked up to 11, guitar riffs, "Oceans Of Venus" is a trashy cocktail of glam sleaze, S&M chic and decadence surely to give you a satisfying antidote to all the bland, soulless music that is cluttering up the music scene.



Now, where did I leave that feather boa?"

One of my favourite albums.

Karen Sellenger | 12/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I discovered this band via this album very belatedly this year, and I love it. As good as anything out of the 70's glam rock era. I recommend this for any nostalgic glam rock fan, or those out for something different."