The Brunettes return with their sophomore album and not a slump to be seen (or heard). Once again produced by The Brunettes leading man Jonathan Bree, who returned to the studio with greater confidence and inspired after v... more »enturing outside New Zealand for the bands first international tours. As well as the now-classic college radio hit Polyester Meets Acetate, Mars Loves Venus also features songs written by James Milne (AKA Lawrence Arabia) - the stunning You Beautiful Militant and co-singer Heather Mansfield These Things Take Time, and contributions by Ryan McPhun of The Ruby Suns who was drumming for the band at the time. More great hooks, more great lyrics, more... greatness!« less
The Brunettes return with their sophomore album and not a slump to be seen (or heard). Once again produced by The Brunettes leading man Jonathan Bree, who returned to the studio with greater confidence and inspired after venturing outside New Zealand for the bands first international tours. As well as the now-classic college radio hit Polyester Meets Acetate, Mars Loves Venus also features songs written by James Milne (AKA Lawrence Arabia) - the stunning You Beautiful Militant and co-singer Heather Mansfield These Things Take Time, and contributions by Ryan McPhun of The Ruby Suns who was drumming for the band at the time. More great hooks, more great lyrics, more... greatness!
CD Reviews
Best bubblegum pop ive heard in a while
Lindsay | New York | 05/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"hailing from new zealand, this group's two front runners are a couple that is in love, and sing about it beautifully in several of their songs. each track is carefully crafted with gorgeous female vocals and male vocals. this band is inspired by beach boys-era sweet rollerskateing, sip-my-soda and bat-my-eyelashes pop- you will defininitely not find a sad song here. get prepared to be filled with infectious hooks and a ton of sweet melodys that youll hum to all day (in a good way)."
You MUST buy this record!!!
Brett J. Smith | LA, CA | 03/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Seldom does something so charming, disarming and seductive come along. I went last night to see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and was floored by the opening band who, while not everyone paid enough attention to them, in my mind, stole the show. It's been a long time since I've been this excited by a new (to me) act, that I'm nearly giddy with anticipation. This New Zealand sextet, sometimes septet has it all. 5 part harmonies the Beach Boys would be jealous of, Avante Garde pop sensibilities, and raw talent in spades. I was transfixed simply watching the young lady who shares lead vocal responsibilities play four different instruments while her flirty, playful voice kept perfect time and she smiled broadly the whole time. Some friends with me made comparisons to a highly evolved 'X' or a Phil Spector-esque group from the early sixties (which made me think that Brunettes might be a clever play on the Ronettes) or a Pet Sounds era Beach Boys. Regardless of what you hear, it will all seem warmly familiar and delightfully unique. Don't waste any more time. Go out and buy Mars Loves Venus right away."
One seriously talented band
JC | Toronto, Canada | 06/03/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I first saw this seven person, twenty-plus instrument band open for the Shins, and I was hooked. This creative, youthful group fills this album with lyrically clever - and musically delightful - poppy love songs. To see them perform is a great pleasure, and this album manages to capture and project their unique presence!"
Bubblegum Pop, in the Best Possible sense
The Rumpled Academic | Wangaratta, Australia | 01/11/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Mars Loves Venus" is one of the... no, THE best pop record I've ever heard. It's like the audio equivalent of one of those rare, really good, feel-good romantic comedies. Architecture In Helsinki meet with Lou Reed and decide to make the most perfect giddy feel-good record they can.
Coming from what is normally an indie-rock person, this is high praise indeed. Simply, this is pop music that works. It works to the highest ideal of pop music: music made to simply make the listener feel happy.
From the avant-guarde-pop opener, to the beautiful "You Beautiful Militant", to the funny humalong goodness of "Record Store", to the "aw"-inspiring "Leonard Says", this record is irresistible. I contend that it is a true impossibility to listen to this album the whole way through and not develop a crush on one of Heather or Jonathan, the two duelling vocalists.
Whether you're someone who normally takes a superior view to pop music (like me), or someone who indulges in it regularly, I cannot recommend this album enough. Just one song was enough to melt my rock-hardened heart and make me absolutely infatuated with this album. 5, well-earned, pretty, stars."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1