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Roulettes - Album Review: Venus Burns

27 Apr 2018 // A review by Andrew Smit

Opening with a crash of drums and melodic guitar the ever-fresh sound of The Roulettesannounce their latest album Venus Burns with the rousing opening track Stealing Electricity.

Thankfully the band have not strayed from their captivating psychedelic sound with songs that are loaded with glorious guitar chords full of sparkling harmonics and hypnotic stomping rhythms. Their music is like a mesmerising lava lamp that is alive and flows to their broad choral musical compositions, that is surprisingly created by just 3 instruments!

A wonderfully catchy vocal cry imbues the title track Venus Burns while Justin McLean’s lead guitar and vocal bends and weaves giving the track an extra burst of psychedelia. Other highlights of the album are Mark Queenin’s rolling drums on Dogs which propel the drilling guitar riffs, while Slow Dance bops along full of flowing musical harmonics boosted by its upbeat rhythm.

I love the rock vibe on Girlfriend with its abundance of guitar rock riffs and cymbal crashing perfection. Alchemy has a cool and classy vocal from Justin with nice backing vocals from Bassist Ben Grant round this catchy tune off with nonchalant style.

The Roulettes compositions on this album are a psychedelic union of progressive and traditional arrangements that blend into a dazzling harmonious fusion of sound that invoke visions of everchanging colour and light, who could ask for more.


Review written by Andrew Smit

 

About Roulettes

Roulettes was formed by Ben and Justin in Auckland in the early 2000's from the ashes of sonic Dunedin Rock n Roll bands (Funhouse, Bike). They released two EPs (You Want It and Unread Books) before settling on Mark Queenin (Bike, Garageland) on drums and recording their debut album, The Roulettes.




Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Roulettes

Releases

Demosphere
Year: 2021
Type: Album
Rocket To You
Year: 2020
Type: EP
Venus Burns
Year: 2017
Type: Album
The Roulettes
Year: 2014
Type: Album
Unread Books
Year: 2010
Type: EP
You Want It
Year: 2009
Type: EP

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