Search - Transvision Vamp :: Pop Art

DON'T MISS OUT!!

Dana Myers | Medina, Ohio United States | 09/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've loved this group for years now. Few people are aware of them and thats a shame, because they were ahead of their time both image-wise and musically. Vamp would've been more popular if their album had dropped during the "Alternative" craze of the early 90's instead of prior.
A Brittish "punk" rock group so to speak, the music of "Pop Art" had attitude. Wendy James, the frontWOMAN of this all male group had a tremendous voice, often singing in a "breathy" whisper type voice, only to be set into an occasional scream. She does this so well, that no other group sounds quite like Vamp. The men who back her up are skilled musicians as well.
Here are some examples of how Transvision Vamp were ahead of their time.
Long before Lil Kim named herself "Queen Bee", we have Wendy James claiming (in "Hanging Out With Halo Jones") "Well they used to call me Queen Bee, til I threw the throne"..."Hey now, I'm a girl of the times, A child of design. Romance, romance is cool..but I've got things to do."--Great strong lyrics with female ego that you see in today's music. "Trash City" has the whole futuristic thing going on. Then theres the fast-paced "I Want Your Love" where Wendy croons and pleads "I don't want your money honey, I want your love. And I don't want your car, baby, I want your (moan). I don't want your friends, they don't need a mention! I just want your love and all of your attention!"... Great lyrics, great song. "Psychosonic Cindy" has a pulsating beat that so well executed it surpasses any pop rock song of today. "Sex Kick" is just what it seems. A sexually aggressive song that pushes the envelope without breaking it. Then theres "Tell that Girl To Shut Up"... "Well you got that girl and she lives with you, and she does just what you want her to. And when I call you on the phone, she says you're not there, but I know your home. You better tell that girl to shut up. You better tell that girl I'm gonna beat her up"... Any woman who has been hated on by a jealous girl can totally dig this song.
Vamp slows it down on "Sister Moon" and "Wild Star" "Wild Star" is sung in an edgy breathy voice and has more great lyrics..."Oh you're a wild star king, you're my hero. You make the neon silver screen glow. You made all the stars fall right out of the sky, And all of those stars fell right into my eyes. You don't move...you just glide. You don't cruise, you just ride, ride, ride, ride on in." There's a tribute to Andy Warhol. (Andy Warhol's Dead") and the 60's like "Revolution Baby" giving this dynamic album more balance musically.
This is a pop album, but it's a pop album with many influences and much flair. Talented musicians, a distinctive frontwoman, and terrific lyrics make "Pop Art" a WORK OF ART". This should be in every music fan's collection. BUY IT...You snooze, you loose!!"